Unification is not a magic wand

Perennial problems

Sir, – Caoimhe Archibald’s (Letters, December 13th) statement that “in a new Ireland, we could deliver an all-island national health service that is free at the point of delivery, a stronger economy and with more and better jobs, a first-class education system, better and net-zero infrastructure and more social and affordable housing” begs the question of how can a 32-county republic deliver what a 26-county republic has been unable to do during 100 years of independence?

Can proponents of Irish unification please explain what is so magical about a 32-county republic that suddenly all socio-economic problems just vanish? – Yours, etc,

JASON FITZHARRIS,

Swords,

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Co Dublin.

Sir, – If a poll were held in Ireland, or indeed in any other country, on attitudes to apple pie I would expect near universal approval. If supplementary questions were asked about different prices that people were prepared to pay for apple pie, I would expect a sharp inverse relationship. – Yours, etc,

BRIAN WOODS,

Foxrock,

Dublin 18.

Sir, – The primary question I would ask is whether now is the right time for unity.

I believe, having lived in the Bangor area, that the task of decision makers is to convince the population of Northern Ireland that it would be a happier and more successful area through unity than it is currently. – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL J LOWEY,

Dublin 18.