Sir, – Lord Kilclooney, the doyen of Ulster unionism better known as John Taylor, always enjoys winding up opinion on this side of the Border, and his letter (Letters, July 21st) runs true to form.
Of course, the Northern Ireland vote to remain, in the recent Brexit referendum, is not to be interpreted as an open-ness now by a majority in Northern Ireland to voting in a Border poll for a united Ireland. The Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin did not suggest otherwise in his MacGill summer-school speech.
However, in making this point, Lord Kilclooney ventures into more disputable territory. Few people in this State would describe themselves as “Southern Irish”, and even “Northern Irish” is some distance off being a generally accepted common self-description by either unionists or nationalists in Northern Ireland.
Everyone from this island is either Irish or entitled to be if they wish. It is just as consistent with the constitutional settlement in the Belfast Agreement to look forward occasionally to conditions that would require the holding of a Border poll, as it is for those in Northern Ireland who define themselves as primarily or exclusively British to reiterate constantly their unchanging support for the union.
It is the UK electorate that has decided in its wisdom to leave the EU and as a consequence to weaken its association with other member countries, including those with which it has the closest links.
There is at least as much onus on the UK as there is on Ireland to contain the fall-out, and in particular to ensure that Northern Ireland and the border region do not lose out disproportionately.
It is regrettable that there has to be a serious question-mark over whether the EU single market in Ireland under whatever modalities can continue.
To a large extent and to mutual benefit, and in conjunction with the peace process, it restored the free movement of goods and persons throughout Ireland.
– Yours, etc,
MARTIN MANSERGH
Tipperary,
Co Tipperary.