Sir, – Martin Mansergh states that "Northern Ireland still struggles as a cohesive political entity" ("Electoral competition has had a destabilising effect", Opinion & Analysis, September 12th) . Furthermore, he writes that "strenuous effort will be made by both governments [London and Dublin] to shore [the Executive] up".
There is an inherent contradiction in his analysis because the guarantee of continuing financial shoring up of Stormont by the UK government is a major reason why Northern Ireland continues to struggle as a cohesive political entity.
If the UK financial support were to be taken away and the people of Northern Ireland made to stand financially on their own feet, necessity would force them to behave in a mature fashion and for both sides of the political divide to cooperate or, failing this, for all to face the prospect of a very reduced standard of living.
We in this part of Ireland have had such an experience in recent times when we entered into the euro monetary system; following entry, the Irish political establishment threw financial prudence to the winds assuming, wrongly, that Germany, et al, would financially shore us up no matter how imprudent our governance.
It didn’t happen, and we are now a chastened people, acting in a more responsible and mature manner.
Treat people like spoiled children, ie the Stormont political establishment, and they will act accordingly. – Yours, etc,
MICHEAL O’CATHAIL,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.