A chara, – In relation to the Taoiseach’s suggestion that the people of Northern Ireland be allowed vote on the question of a united Ireland to avoid leaving the EU against their will, the necessary constitutional changes need not be that profound.
The long-mooted confederal solution would mean that while from the outside “Ireland”, like Belgium, would appear to be one polity, two functioning states would remain.
Austria-Hungary had only four federal departments: army, navy, foreign policy and customs.
The North-South Ministerial Council, Oireachtas Éireann and the Assembly could continue with minor amendments to the Belfast Agreement and Bunreacht na hÉireann to facilitate the election of a federal government and parliament with powers delimited to defence, customs and foreign/EU affairs and a federal court to deal with interpretation and application of the law in these areas. – Is mise,
DÁITHÍ
Mac CÁRTHAIGH, BL
Dublin 7.
Sir, – Britain supports Northern Ireland to the tune of many billions of pounds a year. It is a fact that one in three employed people in the North are in the public service in one form or another.
We in the Republic could not afford this. Northern Ireland by itself is not economically sustainably as a “country”.
So, why not be realistic and eliminate this pipe-dream of unification?
We in the Republic, due to a handful of greedy bankers and subservient political leaders, will be in debt for many generations to come. Why add more austerity measures to the already overtaxed populace? – Yours, etc,
MIKE MAHON,
Templeogue,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – I wonder has Enda Kenny considered how to persuade even a minority of unionists to accept the idea of a united Ireland? Come to that, how to persuade probably a majority of so-called nationalists to the idea, since to paraphrase St Augustine, they are in favour of unification, but not just yet, thank you.
Has he considered the distinct possibility of a bitter civil war breaking out in the North with the Irish Army supposed to keep the peace in the North in place of the British army?
Has he considered how much it would cost to replace Britain’s largesse to Northern Ireland?
However, here’s some good news for Mr Kenny. If he wants a united Ireland, he can have it right now. All he has to do is persuade his fellow nationalists of the merits of a reunited kingdom.
That should be easier than persuading unionists of the merits of a united Ireland. – Yours, etc,
DAVID HERMAN,
Benllech,
Wales.
Sir, – The absence of a cunning Brexit plan would suggest that there is absolutely nothing “mischievous” in the Taoiseach advocating discussions about the choices that should be placed before future voters in the event of a cross-Border poll.
A cross-Border commission could perhaps consider a more pluralist constitution and how the different traditions of all four provinces could best be accommodated, along with other matters, such as social security, secular education, healthcare, justice and foreign policy. The commission could also examine what extra financial support would be made available to ensure the successful incorporation of a different region within the EU.
To describe the choice in terms of unification is provocative and counter-productive; the choice is how can different regions on a small island on the periphery of Europe co-operate in the best interests of all their citizens. – Yours, etc,
ALISTAIR CRAIG,
London.