Sir, - I disagree with your Editorial "What needs must be" (November 3rd). Like most people in both parts of Ireland, I would dearly like to see a lasting peace in the North. However, I am not convinced that changing the rules of the Assembly to allow the election of First and Deputy First Ministers by "artificial" means is the best way forward. As you admit, this "looks suspiciously like moving the goalposts and could inflict serious damage to the credibility of the voting arrangements."
Much has been made of the fact that large majorities, both North and South, want to see the Belfast Agreement implemented forthwith. Opposition has been generated from loyalist and republican paramilitaries (unelected) and the DUP and UK Unionists (elected).
The unionist anti-agreement parties have been elected on a fudged platform, whereby they have managed - successfully - to convey the impression that they are both for and against the agreement. However, the lie that they want to re-negotiate the agreement has now been exposed for the sham that it is. IRA decommissioning has removed their main excuse for non-co-operation, and they are both revealed in their true colours - sectarian bigots who will never share power with anyone who espouses alternative views.
I believe Dr Reid should now call fresh elections. The choices are clear; fudging will no longer work. The people can decide whether they want to elect those parties on both sides of the political divide who are endeavouring to work the agreement, or put their trust in parties who have clearly shown themselves as being anti-agreement, and having no credible alternative policy to offer. He should, however, make clear that, under no circumstances, will there be any re-negotiation of the Belfast Agreement, an agreement which already has been endorsed by the people, North and South.
I hope and believe that such an election would smoke out the anti-agreement parties and strengthen the hands of those committed to making the peace process work.
If, as you suggest in your Editorial, the DUP was, in fact, to make substantial gains, then surely the reality to be faced would be that the people of Northern Ireland no longer want the agreement, and the present attempt to shore it up by artificial means cannot succeed. - Yours, etc.,
Tom Kirby, Clonakilty, Co Cork