Sir, – Robert Porter (Letters, April 13th) makes the case for Ireland's joining of the Commonwealth, but what exactly is the Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth Charter sets out its vision and aims, which include the aspiration to a Commonwealth which is “a strong and respected voice in the world, speaking out on major issues”.
The recent UN General Assembly vote (March 2nd) on the condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine provided evidence of how close the Commonwealth is to reaching this goal. Of the 35 countries to abstain from this vote, nine of those who failed to speak out belonged to the Commonwealth.
Ireland has a respected voice in world affairs. Why would we wish to associate ourselves with those whose aspirations do not match their actions? – Yours, etc,
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WILLIAM
MARTIN SMITH,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – Robert Porter speaks of Easter Monday 1949, when the Irish state left the Commonwealth: “The event was met with fireworks, military parades and gun salutes, and there was a sense of joy and merriment throughout the country”.
If by “throughout the country” Robert Porter means throughout the Republic of Ireland, does he believe that north of the Border is a part of Ireland?
Mr Porter argues that the Republic of Ireland rejoining the Commonwealth would “send a message to Northern unionists: ‘You are welcome here.’”
Has Mr Porter considered what message his words send to Northern nationalists? Or is their existence and their history literally not worth mentioning? – Yours, etc,
JUDE COLLINS,
Antrim.
Sir, – Robert Porter advocates that Ireland rejoin the Commonwealth.
He says that rejoining the Commonwealth would make Ireland “a progressive nation that is prepared to make moderate concessions in pursuit of Irish unity”.
He ignores the fact that Ireland has already made major concessions in relation to Irish unity when it signed the Belfast Agreement.
That international agreement drew a reconciliatory line under centuries of colonial rule. While recommending that Ireland make concessions, Robert Porter makes no mention of the fact that Irish concessions already made were treated very badly through the vote for Brexit which does major damage to the principle of reconciliation in the Belfast Agreement.
Ireland is actually reduced to seeking the aid of its EU partners to ensure the conditions in the Belfast Agreement are maintained.
Talking about progressive membership of the Commonwealth in such conditions is hardly appropriate.
It is London that would be progressive if it lived up to the agreement it signed with this former colony. – Yours, etc,
ANTHONY LEAVY,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – I hope that Robert Porter’s plea for Ireland to consider rejoining the Commonwealth gets a fair hearing. As an Irishman living in England, I am well placed to tap into deeper streams of thought on such matters.
That Ireland was shamefully bullied by England ever since the 12th century, nobody challenges. That Ireland was failed in Famine times is indisputable. That Ireland supported O’Connell and Parnell in seeking a civilised Home Rule settlement is a fact. That the thwarting and frustrating of that impulse energised the physical force tradition is also uncontested.
That Ireland provided inspiration to, and is respected by, current Commonwealth countries for asserting its right to freedom is a given. Rejoining the Commonwealth – not as a sop to unionists – but as a gesture of historic healing, would be internationally welcomed.
Ireland would not be approaching cap in hand. All that has changed. A self-confident Ireland would be taking its place, as it does in other international forums, as a much welcomed and respected equal. The success and warmth of royal visits to Ireland demonstrate how the scales have tilted.
For these, and for many other salient reasons, I hope Mr Porter’s voice is listened to. – Yours, etc,
PADDY McEVOY,
March,
Cambridgeshire, UK.