Sir, - Recent events in Northern Ireland may have some positive outcome if it is now accepted that no meaningful agreement between the political parties is possible. It is quite futile to keep urging representatives to talks and to sit at the table etc. when it is obvious that there is no agreement and none is possible. All the arguments put forward by the various parties have been repeated ad infinitum over decades and are well known to everyone who has any interest in the matter.
The only outcome which carries any hope is for the two Governments to agree a way of running the North of Ireland, to put this to the people of the North in a referendum, and then to put it into effect if a majority favour it. Elected representatives already exist, from the last election, and a general election to the British Parliament must take place within the next few months. Those elected representatives who do not participate must accept the responsibility for so doing, but should not be allowed to hold up progress.
The broad basis for running the North is already clear: for example, a bill of rights, power sharing and proportional representation, with arrangements for NorthSouth participation where this makes sense. The political vacuum which has existed in the North for many years is one of the causes of the present position and should not be allowed to continue. - Yours, etc.,
New Ross,
Co Wexford.