Sir, - Now that the IRA has accepted the logic of the peace process for a second time it is essential that confidence-building measures be put in place instead of the fear and mistrust that permeates the conflict in Northern Ireland. It is true that prisoners on all sides need to be dealt with compassionately, that the flags of identity need to be acknowledged and respected, that the society needs to be demilitarised, and that both communities need to talk with each other not at each other. However, confidence-building measures are also required of the nationalist community in the North, and most importantly of the present
Government in Dublin. Bertie Ahern has declared himself the leader of nationalist Ireland, but his fine words will also require actions to prove that we are willing to share our past with all the people on the island. It should not take much persuasion of the Orange Order to join with us in a ceremony of reconciliation at the site of the battle of the Boyne on July 12th next year as a major reassessment of our past, but someone with the power needs to have the courage to ask. There is a host of similar possibilities that
I am sure readers of The Irish Times can suggest to the Taoiseach, but might I
propose helping to rebuild North of Ireland Rugby and Cricket Club, burnt by persons unknown, and the couple of Orange halls that were destroyed in the aftermath of Drumcree? It is only by building confidence, and talking to each other that the long struggle will end. -Yours, etc., Barry Keane College Road,
Cork.