Little sign of conciliation in Northern Ireland

Sir, – Michael McDowell says that the North needs conciliation, not a referendum (Opinion & Analysis, May 5th).

When there is not the remotest sign of such a coming together between the opposed aspirations of the population, how does he see conciliation being achieved? For the irredentists of both sides, there is no solution other than a united Irish republic or a continuance of the status quo. There does appear to be a more moderate drift from both sides into a middle position, but at the rate things are going, the 200th anniversary of the Stormont parliament is a more likely date for a settlement. – Yours, etc,

A JONES,

Mullagh,

Border polls and defence policy

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Back to normal?

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Breakaway golf tour

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Oath of office

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Co Cavan.