Madam, - The Department of Foreign Affairs is clear (June 29th) that "the name of the State is Ireland". This is an extraordinary state of affairs.
If true, it follows logically that Derry, Antrim, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh are not in Ireland!
Ian Paisley can now claim with justification that Ballymena and Belfast are not Irish, although even he surely wouldn't go as far as Dermot Ahern in regarding Crossmaglen as being outside "Ireland"! To assert that the term "Ireland" is a reasonable description for the State defies common sense, as Northern Ireland is - by definition - part of Ireland.
I am unaware of any cartographer or geographical academic anywhere in the world who would see Belfast as part of any country other than Ireland.
It is also quite insulting to the people of Northern Ireland that their existence is not even acknowledged by the Irish Government; we are presumably seen as "non-nationals" living in some kind of limbo. The completely confused thinking of the Government is highlighted by the recent high-profile meeting with FIFA to insist on the (entirely reasonable) right of Northern Ireland footballers to use an Irish passport.
I have no doubt whatsoever that I live in Belfast, in Northern Ireland and in Ireland, whatever Mr Ahern may believe.
However, in the spirit of generosity and in the interest of clarification, I am prepared to offer a donation of £100/€145 to the Minister for Finance, provided the Minister for Foreign Affairs can tell me what country I am actually living in instead of Ireland. - Yours, etc,
PHILIP McGARRY, Alliance Party, Belfast BT9.