Sir, – There are “peace” walls in Belfast that have lasted longer than the Berlin Wall. Their continued existence at “interface” areas is a sign that community relations in parts of that city have not reached a point where locals are ready to see them brought down. I suggest that the conditions for a serious discussion on a united Ireland might wait until community relations have reached a point where there are no more walls and the concept of “interface” areas has been consigned to history. – Yours, etc,
Rev MARTIN O’CONNOR,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – Much of the correspondence in your newspaper on a united Ireland is penned by highly educated academics or politicians who advocate discussion and exchange of views on same. Where these “conversations” won’t happen is where they need to happen: between the working-class communities of both traditions, a much more difficult proposition. Just as the chattering classes expressed astonishment at the election of Donald Trump and the vote for Brexit, so too will they be baffled that not only has their 6,000-page blueprint for a shiny new united Ireland been emphatically rejected, but the vast majority of people didn’t even bother to read it! – Yours, etc,
JOHN WHITE,
Arbour Hill,
Dublin 7.