Sir, – Further to last week’s interview with Gerry Adams (“Have you ever asked the British to leave?’ – Gerry Adams used to ask a new taoiseach”, April 11th), and that both the flag and the national anthem should be on the table in any talks on the future of Ireland, I find myself in the unusual situation of supporting him.
My relationship with the Tricolour is complicated, even more so from having lived in several countries over the years and the witnessing the different relationship that other nationalities have with representations of their nationality.
My visceral reaction to the Tricolour is associated with black flags and hunger strikes, as a background to men with armalites and balaclavas justifying actions which I found appalling but somehow because of that flag which represented me I felt responsible. I can only imagine the feeling of disquiet among northern unionists if they imagined a future where that flag would represent them.
We have an option: the presidential flag of Ireland, a golden harp on a blue background. Its history has a longer and more distinguished heritage than the Tricolour – and would represent both continuity and a new start. – Yours, etc,
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AIDAN BOYCE,
Cours de Monsegur, France.