Madam, - Tom Cooper (September 28th) makes the following observation: "The primary aim of the Reform Movement is to restore the British dimension in Ireland by way of rejoining the British Commonwealth". Many countries are members of the British Commonwealth, yet still remain republics. For our Republic to rejoin the Commonwealth would have no sovereignty implications whatsoever.
Indeed, it would send out a strong message to all and sundry that Irish identity is not mono-ethnic, but a broad church that can accommodate difference and be a warm house for all Irish communities. Some of Mr Cooper's utterances about the Reform Movement being essentially subversive and seeking the political destruction of the Irish State are resonant of Dr Paisley's rantings about Southern intentions towards Northern Ireland.
Mr Cooper should also bear in mind that should the political unity of Ireland be on the agenda at some future time the issue of identity and how it can be democratically expressed will be central to any settlement. After all, was not Wolfe Tone's vision to unite all the Irish people, those of British and those of Gaelic descent? - Yours, etc.,
SEAN WHELAN,
Ormond Keep,
Nenagh,
Co Tipperary.