Sir, – The protocol agreement between the EU and the UK will be a reservoir of significant comforts to the many and various discomforts to the few.
This is how it’s supposed to be when international negotiations are genuinely conducted by “grown-ups” on behalf of their constituents.
In these “reclaimed” circumstances I now look, with confidence, to the implementation of what has been agreed upon.
All sounds a bit old fashioned, thankfully! – Yours, etc,
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MICHAEL GANNON,
Kilkenny.
Sir, – Is there any possibility that Boris Johnson would keep his mouth closed? – Yours, etc,
CECIL ORR,
Wicklow.
Sir, – A thoroughly British, blue white and red name. That ought to get the unionist juices flowing. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN SHAW,
Bülach,
Switzerland.
Sir, – To solve the NI Protocol impasse, it seems the UK and the EU have agreed on the use of Red and Green lanes for the importation of goods into Northern Ireland. Goods destined for the Republic, and therefore the Single Market, will require customs clearance and would go through the Red lane. Goods to be consumed within Northern Ireland would be free of inspection and paperwork and go through the Green lane.
I see an immediate problem. No DUP member could enjoy his Ulster fry knowing the sausages were imported through a Green lane.
To solve this, the new lanes must be named Green and Orange. Green lane goods will head south and Orange lane goods will stay put, giving the DUP something to claim as a victory.
Of course there may be shipments that don’t fit neatly into either category so to process them, an additional lane, which I suggest we call the White lane is required.
Eventually, trucks driving off the ferry will be greeted by three large adjacent signs, directing them to a Green, White or Orange lane and everyone will be happy. – Yours, etc,
FRANK NEENAN,
Carlow.
Sir, – Practical politics meets economic necessity. A reality cheque. – Yours, etc,
DAVID CURRAN,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.
Sir, – Rishi Sunak’s shrewd move to invoke the tacit blessing of the British sovereign on a matter of essentially Irish policy, the Windsor Framework, is reminiscent of the Buckingham Palace conference of 1914. In that year, through the initiative of King George V, nationalist and unionist leaders came together to find a version of Irish Home Rule acceptable to both sides, after years of political turmoil and escalation toward armed conflict. It was hoped that the constitutional cover of the king’s involvement would help, in part, to ease the concerns and staunch opposition of unionist leaders like Edward Carson to Irish Home Rule. While no formal agreement was reached at the conference it contributed significantly to a subsequent détente between the two sides and the creation of a stable political consensus on the Home Rule question that would last during the opening years of the first World War, and at least until 1916 (albeit one that accepted the possibility of partition as a condition of Home Rule).
The Windsor Framework, including its not so subtle use of royal branding, may be the final push required to secure unionist acceptance of the deal of today, and it may be hoped a similar détente. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW ENNIS,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – The Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom, so why is it included on the map which adorns the cover of the Windsor Framework document? – Yours, etc,
FELIX M LARKIN,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – A Windsor knot or not? – Yours, etc,
HELEN NOONAN,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Is the emergency mechanism contained in the document just a " brake for the border”? – Yours, etc,
MARTIN CLANCY,
Doha.
Sir,– Am I alone in thinking that the DUP will never go back into Stormont as deputy to Sinn Féin?
I believe that all the effort made on trying to find agreement is a waste of time. – Yours, etc,
DEIRDRE KEANE,
Bishopstown,
Cork.
Sir, – Poor Boris. His beloved forever war with the EU appears to be fizzling out. – Yours, etc,
DAVID JOHNSTONE,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.