Sir, – In the Irish media, it is often suggested that the “unification of Ireland” would mean that citizens of Northern Ireland should cease their links with the United Kingdom, and join a 32-county Republic. This is something that would not be attractive or realistic for many in the North. But perhaps we should learn more from the German experience? Some East Germans feel they were simply “taken over” by West Germany.
Perhaps citizens in the Republic should view Irish unification as a long-term trajectory that would not only mean Northern Ireland, particularly her unionist population, forging stronger bonds with the Republic, but also perhaps the need to build a new all-Ireland parliament in the centre of our island. Perhaps we should consider a new flag, a new anthem, a new emblem of state, and even a new name for this island nation? Essentially a fresh start for all citizens on this island, with less alignment to the age-old binary “Irish or British” constraint.
I feel that the time is right, if we all want a better and shared future for everybody whoinhabits this isle, to redesign all vestiges of state, and have a new seat of an all-island government. Such a trajectory would be first subject to scrutiny by all citizens on this island – unionist and republican, North and South – as part of a democratic, long-term initiative. Let’s have more debate on the creation of a new all-island country and all its potential offices and symbols of state.
I feel comparisons to South African unity are perhaps as relevant as those to German unity. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN BREEN,
Ballinteer, Dublin 16.
Sir, – We don’t want them, we don’t need them, we can’t afford them, we are somewhat afraid of them, we think that they are culturally different from us, we don’t approve of their prejudices and we don’t want them to influence events in the Republic. We also feel that Northerners feel the same way about us. So let’s forget about a Border poll, and let the British government get the best deal possible for Northern Ireland in the Brexit negotiations. – Yours, etc,
AOIFE LORD,
Tankardstown, Co Meath.