Madam, - A broad and non-partisan reflection on the reactions to President McAleese's recent remarks reveals much about broader trends at work in Irish politics, and much that is positive for the prospects of a settled and consensual politics in the North. In short, there has been a remarkable shift in the political centre ground in Irish politics north and south over the past 30 years, at times without us even noticing it.
What is startling (and encouraging) is not the shrill complaints of offence from unionist political figureheads, or even the fact that Northern Ireland's famous political barometer of the events of the day, the Talkback programme on BBC Radio Ulster, received the most calls ever in one day about the issue. For any seasoned observer of Northern Irish realpolitik, to not expect such a response is living in dreamland.
No, the most interesting thing about this affair is the speed with which an apparently massive (if largely symbolic - the two are often one and the same in our "wee politics") political crisis of unionist confidence in the President simply blew over, following her apology. Even the Orange Order (!) has already forgiven her.
So what we should really note from this is the shift in political dynamics on this island - within the North, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain. One example of the trend is the frequent journeying to Dublin by unionist leaders (particularly David Trimble) to sound out ideas and clarify positions with the Taoiseach. A new maturity is slowly emerging within and between our polities on this island and while we can still rightly despair at (what one hopes are only) short-term setbacks to our journey away from war-war towards jaw-jaw, we should not lose sight of the broader political frame in which all this occurs.
If you think back from December 2004 to five years, 10 years or 20 years before, the potential for a Sinn Féin-DUP deal would have seemed unfathomable. Day-to-day events are far from unimportant, of course, and it seems probable that the Northern Bank raid will affect the short- to medium-term complexion of the ongoing peace process.
But, in the context of this wider historical picture, as well as in comparison with other international examples such as Iraq or Sudan, as a divided community within a divided island we do at least have some positives to be thankful for.
Yours, etc.,
DANNY McSHANE,
Ballyhackamore,
Belfast.
Madam - This island has been cursed by religious sectarianism since the Reformation, all too often characterised by brutal violence and "ethnic cleansing". President McAleese, coming from a strong nationalist background, has admirably prioritised a healing agenda since her election. The Reform Movement welcomes the clarification of her recent remarks, while sadly recognising that her comparison of unionists to Nazis was out of keeping with her "building bridges" pledge.
On a positive note, her comments may help us to think about how we can work to overcome more than four-and-a-half centuries of sectarianism. That this sectarianism is very much alive in this country was revealed last Friday by Mat Cooper on his Today FM radio programme The Last Word. He reported that 90 per cent of calls and e-mails supported the President's comments, and other radio programmes show a high degree of ignorance among younger people about the position of southern Protestants, who have been largely marginalised.
Also the Roman Catholic church's previous Ne Temere decree, and its present refusal to recognise mixed religion marriages which do not take place in its own churches show arrogance and intolerance of other religious beliefs.
Reform works for a pluralist, post-nationalist future where we have a tapestry of cultures, following the Canadian example. We believe Church and State need to be separated, particularly in our schools, where a non-denominational ethos is to be encouraged.
We also need to make social civics a compulsory school subject, North and South, where respect for different traditions and religions is taught. No better person than Mary McAleese to encourage such an approach! - Yours, etc.,
ROBIN BURY,
Chairman,
The Reform Movement,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.