With alarming frequency I’ve come to consider recent discussion on the subject of a ‘hard border’ as somewhat divorced from reality.
The fact of the matter is that there isn’t going to be a so-called ‘hard border’ for a number of reasons.
Firstly, neither the British or Irish governments want such a thing. This has been stated so frequently and so clearly as to be not worth repeating.
Secondly, the EU doesn’t want such a thing.
Thirdly, there is no need for any presence by any body dealing with security, customs or any other issues along the border.
The Common Travel Area is a rolling agreement between British and Irish ministers and as such has never been supplanted by EU law. It will still apply after the UK leaves the EU, removing the need for any checks whatsoever on the movement of British and Irish citizens between the two jurisdictions. The movement of goods can be controlled using a range of biometric, numberplate recognition and block chain solutions such as are currently in use across the world.
We find ourselves in a different situation to the one of 20 years ago, both politically and in terms of the technology available to us. While the truth of the matter doesn’t lend itself terribly well to electioneering that seeks to play on the concerns of border communities, those involved in conjuring images of the checkpoints of old should realise that they’re looking increasingly out of touch with reality.
The real focus of anyone involved in politics here should be in making sure that when trade deals happen, what Northern Ireland trades – more with the rest of the world than with the EU (including the ROI) as it happens – is taken account of.
Brexit is happening and the moaners owe the public more than folk memory-inspired fantasy.
NEIL WILSON
Belfast BT5
No surprise why electorate voted to leave EU
It’s noticeable that the ‘Brexit remainers’ in Britain and Ireland all appear to be the rich; the messengers of the rich; those who consider themselves educated in matters economical; comfortable politicians and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. They know stuff we are told but when we see the simple reality of what being in the EU today entails, there should be no surprise as to why the British electorate voted to leave the failed bloc. It is of no more use as it devours itself with a fake currency promoted by the IMF, led by individuals who betray the very principles of democracy.
There is constant austerity all across the countries of the EU – job figures which are a figment of inflated imagination like that shown by the Republic’s government which tries to pretend we never had it so good. Leprechaun economics which ignores most working conditions; reduced to zero-hours contracts; part-time low-paying work which just about keeps up with dole payments; absence of job security and rejection of any rights workers might seek to obtain.
More citizens are taking their own lives in Ireland than at any time in history because of financial difficulties. There is no way out for what used to be called ‘ordinary’ decent folk. Now we are merely taxable units.
This is the reality of the EU. It sickens me to listen to the vested interests berating Britain for saying enough is enough. How is the EU helping us to cope with its draconian economic laws and decrees which ignore the wishes of the nation states? It would be so much more in Ireland’s interests to hook up closely with the UK going forward, because in a short time it will be shown just how sane it is to go it alone without being welded onto the dictatorship which is the EU shambles.
ROBERT SULLIVAN
Bantry, Co Cork
Ownership claims
I read with interest the article about Stephen Boyle and his claim to ownership of Maghaberry Prison (April 3) and I couldn’t help thinking that there must be thousands of people throughout Northern Ireland who also would have claims to property and farms that were stolen from them and planted with people loyal to the English over the centuries. These, like all claims, should still be investigated and compensation or the return of the properties etc to the descendants of those people if proven.
JOSEPH KENNEDY
Dunmurry, Co Antrim
Forthcoming election
We are lead to believe that Theresa May called an early election for the sole reason of humiliating the Labour Party but that is not true. She did so to free herself from the shackles of the extremists in her own party, who are persistently tormenting her to execute a complete break with the EU, irrespective of the cost to the economy, by marginalising them within a larger majority of members more tolerant to her approach at cleaning up the Brexit mess that those extremists caused in the first place.
DAMIAN GC DEVANEY
Larne, Co Antrim
Paying lip service to struggle for freedom
On Easter Sunday we again witnessed the spectacle of the free state government paying lip service to the men and women who fought to free their country from British rule in 1916. These people day and daily castigate republicans here in the six counties. What a farce. Do they have no shame? All those involved in the great struggle for freedom must again be turning in their graves.
VAL MORGAN
Newry, Co Down
In the same boat
I just want to let J McBride – ‘Losing patience over driver licence renewal’ (April 13) – know that I am in the exact position as he is. My licence was also due at the beginning of March and I applied one day late. My application must have overlapped the form I received the next day telling me to apply for my new one. When I was getting the correct form at the Post Office the girl told me she had to wait nine weeks before she got hers.
So hopefully we should receive our licence in about three weeks.
F BARRY
Co Antrim
Fellow traveller
I would like to add my voice to Mr McBride’s – ‘Losing patience over driver licence renewal’ (April 13) – as we have just experienced the very same ritual. Our drivers licence expired in March and having photos taken and terms filled, the letter was returned before the expiry date.
However, as time went on and hearing nothing from the authorities phone calls were tried to be told we were 40th in the queue. Having tried this several times we resorted to ask to have an explanatory letter – to no avail. The worry with us was, are we legal to drive? However, we were assured by a solicitor that all was well. We are still waiting.
P O’NEILL
Omagh, Co Tyrone
Reunification back on agenda
According to Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill (April 17) Irish reunification is back on the political agenda.
So what is all the bickering and deadlock at Stormont about if unionists have basically agreed to a united Ireland?
MALACHY SCOTT
Belfast BT15
