Sir, – Since independence has already been lost to the troika, James Dunne’s suggestion (August 2nd) that the Constitutional Convention debate the merits of becoming an overseas department of France is timely.
However, unless accompanied by a guarantee of Mediterranean weather, the imposition of French as the first official language would meet significant resistance.
Irregular French verbs also rule out a closer association with a Canada aiming to become bilingual.
Becoming the 51st American state would have no language problem, but the return of the gun to politics would have unpredictable results.
Australia has enough Irish and back-stabbing politicians already while the IRFU would veto a New Zealand takeover – which leaves only our closest neighbour . . . – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Cnoc an Stollaire,
Gaoth Dobhair,
Co Donegal.