Colin Harvey makes another useful contribution to the debate on a process towards a new Ireland – ‘Uncertainty around Irish reunification only promotes instability’ (December 5).
He is absolutely correct to call out the fallacy of the border poll provisions within the Good Friday Agreement, particularly that they be initiated at the whim of the British secretary of state. I share his enthusiasm for an early poll but would go further and suggest that the idea of a singular poll should be thrown out completely.
Brexit shows the flaw in trying to achieve major constitutional change based on a single vote and illustrates the damage to society caused by a marginal victory. While accepting simple majority principles it is still incumbent on all those passionate about a new Ireland to ensure that the final mandate for change is supported as strongly as possible. A process of negotiation that starts with a referendum and ends with a onfirmatory vote is much more likely to promote a stable transition.
I would suggest there are three key elements which must be known before a final vote; the constitution of a new Ireland; the long-term financial settlement with London and the level of long-term infrastructural support from the European Union.
I would suggest that political and inter-governmental priority will only be given to addressing these matters if a popular will to do so has been determined by an initial poll.
The change would only happen if the details, which will then be known, were endorsed in a final poll.
I could vote today to begin the process but would need to see the details, particularly around protection for British identity and citizenship, before endorsing a final deal.
This is entirely consistent with the Good Friday Agreement process which commenced with Forum elections in 1996, followed by negotiations and then ended with the confirmatory referendum.
Colin is also correct that the mechanism for border poll(s) should be foremost in the minds of politicians entering the upcoming multi-party talks.
We must call-out the obvious flaws in the current provisions and devise mechanisms that allow stable constitutional change.
An initial poll in 2021, followed by negotiations and a final poll in 2024 is certainly attainable.
CONOR QUINN
Lisburn, Co Antrim
Supporting NSPCC’s crucial work will make positive difference to children’s lives
As Christmas draws ever nearer why not get the little ones even more excited for the big day with a Letter from Santa? It’s a great way to bring joy to your own family, whilst knowing you’re making a positive difference to the lives of children in Northern Ireland by supporting the NSPCC’s crucial work this Christmas.
Santa can tailor the letter with your child’s name, age, hobbies and a personal message to get Christmas in your household off to a magical start. There are eight new designs to choose from including Reindeer Flying Practice, Christmas Disco and Elves are Ready to Go.
We know that on average at least two children in every primary school classroom has suffered some form of abuse, and you can help us be there for them and provide the necessary support at Christmas and all year round. For every Letter from Santa, we suggest a donation of £5, which goes a long way to helping children.
£8 enables our volunteer counsellors to respond to two calls to the NSPCC’s Childline service. On average, a child contacts Childline every 25 seconds. It provides a safe, confidential place for children with no-one else to turn to, whatever their worry, whenever they need help. They can get in contact 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk. Our Childline volunteers will even be there on Christmas Day.
A £10 donation could help us answer two calls to the free NSPCC Helpline from adults worried about a child. It is open every day of the year for any adult worried about a child on 0808 800 5000 or nspcc.org.uk. Our practitioners provide advice and support, listen to concerns about a child, and offer general information about child protection.
To get creating your family’s personalised Letter from Santa, and start spreading the festive cheer, visit the NSPCC website.
Many thanks in advance for your support.
CATHERINE NUTTALL
Head of Support Fundraising, NSPCC Northern Ireland and England
Health and social care pressures
Marie Curie is deeply concerned by the growing pressures facing the local health and social care system, which in reality have existed for some time.
Our hospice and nursing services are commissioned to provide palliative and end of life care services in every corner of Northern Ireland. We see first-hand the impact that health and social care pressures are having on some of the most vulnerable patients in the system. Patients who are unable to be cared for at home because they are waiting for a social care package; who are having frequent emergency admissions to hospital because the community services they need, including out of hours services, aren’t always available and whose loved ones are being pushed to breaking point by providing hundreds of hours of informal care every month.
We need to see all relevant stakeholders from health and social care, politics and beyond working together to address the immediate pressures facing the system and deliver much-needed long-term change. This would help to address the challenges facing services for terminally ill people and their loved ones. A critical step will be the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive.
JOAN McEWAN
Head of policy and public affairs for Marie Curie in Northern Ireland
Return to the homeland
More than three years ago, in a letter to The Irish News, I stated that in the event of a Northern Ireland decision to leave the UK it would be mutually beneficial to encourage and indeed compensate the descendants of the Scottish Planters to return to their original homeland. The resultant saving of the annual £10 billion block grant would provide funding for this compensation.
This is now even more appropriate in the current situation where the UK has voted to leave the EU whereas the majority in Northern Ireland have voted to remain.
These additional supporters for the United Kingdom would help counter a Scottish vote to remain in the EU. Indeed if this was not successful they could advise and help Scotland to repartition as their predecessors successfully did in Ireland about a 100 years ago.
Surely Arlene, who has previously said she would leave Ulster if Ireland became united, would be happy to lead the way.
JOHN McDOWELL
Co Antrim
