Sir, - I have come up with a plan to solve the Northern problem. That sounds a bit ambitious, I know, but I think it's worth considering. Basically, Ireland and the UK do a swap. The UK formally recognises that Ireland "owns" (to use a crude term) all of Ireland, including the North, and, simultaneously, Ireland agrees to lease the Six Counties back to the UK for a fixed term (let's say 40 years).
This would solve several problems at once. It involves both continuity and change at the same time. First, technically speaking, the territorial integrity of Ireland as a whole would be achieved, thus satisfying the constitutional imperative. Ireland would be one, albeit with a part of it loaned to another country for a time. Nationalists could be satisfied that their future as Irish people was assured.
Second, the immediate situation on the ground would remain unchanged. Unionists could be secure that for the foreseeable future (40 years is a long time) British jurisdiction would be guaranteed. Third, the problem of demographic shift would be solved. At the moment the balance lies at about 60-40 to the unionists. Since most of the unionists stress the importance of consent, the logical upshot is that once the figures go 51-49 to the nationalists (which is due to happen some time in the next couple of decades or so), the North must instantly become part of a united Ireland, a massive change. However, in 40 years' time there should be a fairly comfortable majority of nationalists, so this idea would allow a smooth transition between now and then.
Both governments, along with the people of the North, could sort out how to manage the North during those 40 years, agreeing on some harmonisation to prepare for an orderly changeover, and on what sort of government of all Ireland would be acceptable to all parties concerned after the 40 years (a federation maybe?). At long last, peace could be achieved.
I feel that both unionists and nationalists would find something for them in this idea. It requires major compromises on both sides. On the one hand, British sovereignty over the North would be accepted by nationalists for the next 40 years (i.e. for most of them, for the rest of their lives), and on the other, unionists would recognise that, in time, the ultimate integrity of Ireland would be achieved.
Each side also achieves something. The nationalists get eventual Irish unity absolutely secured; the unionists get the status quo for considerably longer than might otherwise be the case if nothing was agreed and demographic trends ran their course, and also a high degree of control over what happens afterwards. Both sides get peace.
I hope I'm not being too naive in hoping that my idea might be considered. Over the years I've racked my brains for a solution to the North. Maybe this is it. In any event, I earnestly pray that all parties involved will swallow their pride, and, no matter how unpleasant for them personally, sit down and talk. - Yours, etc., Micheal O Mealoid,
Watson Avenue,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.