Shared contribution is behind the progressive change in the Ireland-UK relationship, writes Stewart Eldon
I leave Dublin when relations between Ireland and the UK have never been better. There is perhaps no greater sense of accomplishment for any diplomat. But, in reality, the improvement in relations involves a much wider cast of actors.
Our shared membership of the European Union has fundamentally changed the dynamic. The UK and Ireland are now equal partners in a common European endeavour. No longer does the balance revolve around an unequal seesaw on which the heavier partner is seen, justly or not, to tip the balance. We may - and do - disagree, e.g. on Cap reform. But those disagreements are based on substance, not instinct. In reality, we have much more in common than divides us.
Trade has been another enormous motivator. The "Celtic Tiger" has made its influence felt throughout these islands. The UK remains Ireland's largest trading partner and, on a per capita basis, British companies sell more goods here than anywhere else in the world. Many thousands of jobs have been created by Irish investors in Britain and by British investors in Ireland. Irish companies now own many traditional British icons, from Claridges to Roberts Radio. And, crucially, trade has increased between the North and South of Ireland, creating jobs, improving living standards and opportunities and thus underpinning peace. Last month, the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference agreed to make each jurisdiction's overseas trade promotion services freely available to companies throughout this island.
The joint effort on Northern Ireland has, of course, brought Ireland and the UK much closer. The Good Friday agreement sets out a legally-binding blueprint for the future. The Republic's territorial claim to the North has been resolved through acceptance of the principle of consent. Both governments are working closely together to take the agreement forward. They will continue to do so, whether or nor the devolved institutions are restored by November 24th.
But changes in attitudes often count for much more than any number of communiqués. Polled in late 2003, over 85 per cent of a sampling of the Irish successor generation expressed themselves very or fairly well disposed towards the United Kingdom.
Over the last few years, Ireland has shown itself more able to come to terms with its past. Private initiatives such as the dedication of the Tipperary Memorial Arch last year have been an important recognition of the military service given by Irish people in all parts of the world - in the British and Irish armed forces, and in others, too.
It was natural for me to attend the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising outside the GPO earlier this year. Aside from the clear significance of the occasion, it was an opportunity for the representative of a friendly neighbour to share in an important piece of history for Ireland.
The Irish Government's decision to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme at Islandbridge on July 1st was important on several levels. It acknowledged the sacrifice made by Irish soldiers of all traditions during the battle. And it did so in a fully-inclusive way, recognising the significance of the event both for unionism in the North and for those in Britain who fought and died.
I suspect that most people in Northern Ireland now recognise the advantages of co-operation with their nearest neighbour. To survive and prosper, both parts of this island must face the challenge posed by emerging economies such as India and China. They will surmount it more effectively by working together rather than apart. The work undertaken by business leaders on structural change in the Northern Ireland economy, which so impressed the two prime ministers during their meetings in Armagh earlier this year, underlines the benefits of an all-Ireland approach.
There are important East-West developments too. The strong Irish welcome for London's success in securing the 2012 Olympics. Moves towards a regional energy market in the context of EU efforts to ensure security of supply. The real and genuine solidarity extended to the people of London after the July 7th bombings last year. Co-operation between our respective law-enforcement agencies is also yielding important results in the fight against drugs and organised crime.
All this adds up to a significant development of a relationship underpinned by new ways of thinking about each other. We will always, quite rightly, be rivals on the sports field. But that rivalry is now counterbalanced by greater understanding of each other's sensitivities and a recognition that both sides have something real and important to contribute, across the board.
If there is any single factor that accounts for the progressive change in the relationship, I think that shared contribution is probably it. It has been there - partly unrecognised - throughout our joint history. Now we both have the chance to make the most of it without being caught in the bear traps of the past.
• Stewart Eldon CMG OBE is outgoing British ambassador to Ireland. He is being succeeded by David Reddaway CMG MBE