Sir, – In dismissing a “German-style big bang reunification”, Michael McDowell ignores the fact that Germany is a federal state, as are other European states in which German is a primary language, such as Austria and Switzerland (“Confederal approach to Irish unity is the only one that will work”, Opinion & Analysis, October 12th). The resulting checks and balances mean that in governing themselves, people can take a phased approach to many issues. One hundred years ago, those who drafted and adopted the constitution of the Irish Free State were aware of these models. Since then, our governing networks have concentrated power in central government.
This does not suggest an open-minded approach to enhancing democratic governance on this island. – Yours, etc,
DONAL O’BROLCÁIN,
Drumcondra,
Malachy Clerkin: At Manchester United, this awful season is everybody’s and nobody’s fault
You’d be genuinely mad to buy an SUV unless you need it - just look at latest climate and safety figures
Brianna Parkins: Moving to Ireland helped me understand my mother, her peculiarities and weird secrecy
Why is the housing crisis Ireland’s most enduring failure?
Dublin 9.
