Sir, – John FitzGerald’s column on the cost of a united Ireland is to be welcomed (“United Ireland not possible if South has to pick up bill for subsidised Northern economy”, Economics, April 5th). This is the first time that I have seen a cogent review of the issue expressed strictly in financial terms and the impact that it would have on all citizens of the Republic. It makes for bleak reading. He suggests that our standard of living is already only 85 per cent of that enjoyed north of the Border. He further asserts that it would require a repeat of the austerity we endured over the past eight years – increased taxes and decreased GNP and household consumption – and that the net effect of such actions would be to double the disparity in living standards in the North’s favour.
No right-minded citizen in this country would vote for such a situation, and I would suggest even Sinn Féin activists would think at least twice.
Charles Haughey once remarked that in the event of a united Ireland, he expected Britain to be “generous”. I don’t think we should hold our breaths. – Yours, etc,
DEREK MacHUGH,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.