Those who are continually discussing or moving towards constitutional change in the shape of border polls, while trying to keep unionists on board and asking them to get back into the Executive, are making unionists very nervous. We always seem to be hearing of united Ireland aspirations by some of those trying to get unionists back to Stormont. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney is a strong advocate for unification, but one wonders if he can see that devolution and a united Ireland are completely different things? Devolution is not about bringing about a united Ireland. If it is, to some people’s minds, there will never be any real peace or harmony. Unionists are unionists and republicans should not forget that. They are going to protect the union and do not want to hear talk of constitutional change. There doesn’t have to be a united Ireland and the demand by republicans that there be one is arrogant. The realisation of a united Ireland could be far worse in terms of resistance than the Troubles ever were. However, there are those prepared to risk it all to get it on the basis that their day will come? A united Ireland is not worth dying for and killing others to get. It is pure extremism and has nothing to do with democracy. Furthermore, ordinary people want their day to come in the shape of peace and reconciliation and government to deal with the bread-and-butter issues which face so many, notwithstanding anything to do with a united Ireland concept. Engaging in murder to get a united Ireland in the shape of dissident republicanism, which is continually trying to kill law enforcement officers, is not going to change anything. To their minds the end justifies the means. But what end, the end where another terror war takes place and thousands more die? The solution is a holistic approach between these two islands. There needs to be a coming together of cooperation, not endlessly awaiting the arrival of a united Ireland, while a devolved government remains in stasis. There must be an end to anglo-phobia and celt-phobia based on what happened in the past.
It’s not the 1980s and 90s anymore, British-Irish relations are 100 times better than they were back then. We live in a new age. There is great cooperation between the two governments now. Devolution can bring as many benefits to this island as a united Ireland ever could and without any further bloodshed.
MAURICE FITZGERALD
Shanbally, Co Cork
Women of honour our bravest citizens
I would like to express my disgust and anger at the criminal and obnoxious treatment of our female and male military personnel for decades by an out of control ring of misogynist and sadistic thugs who abused their authority and rank to prey on those volunteers of Óglaigh na hÉireann who had the misfortune to come under their malicious command and control.
The women of honour present the true soldierly spirit of our Defence Forces when they courageously spoke out against their predators and a hostile working environment that helped these abusers to thrive at home and abroad.
Those in authority of this institute (the government and the general staff, brigades, Naval Service and Air Corps commanders) must take responsibility for their lack of leadership, ignorance or indifference which permitted this elitist and abusive culture to exist and those who committed these horrific crimes must be urgently identified, prosecuted and severely punished. The survivors, the soldiers, sailors and air women and men must be recognised, compensated and supported for their unjust suffering while in the service of our nation.
Successive Irish governments from the foundation of the state have misgoverned, under resourced, under equipped, under paid and continually destabilised our defence forces.
A fitting tribute to the women of honour and those men who also suffered abuse and discrimination (especially those from the northern counties) is to remove for ever the current military establishment that has a 26-counties bias mindset, dominated by a male officer upper-class culture that does not accept or support gender equality in our Irish defence forces. We need a human resource policy that will not tolerate sectarianism, racism, sexism or any other form of discrimination within its ranks with full and part-time members from every part of our Island.
MICHAEL HAGAN
Dunmurry, Co Antrim
Britain must withdraw all claims to sovereignty
Britain’s claim to jurisdiction in the north is a continuing violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ireland’s territory and remains so despite the ‘Good Friday’ Agreement. No constitutional gymnastics, proposed presidential visit or possible first ministership licensed under British rule can alter that basic fundamental. Nor can such mitigate the stripping from the people of Ireland their right to national self-determination.
25 years on, despite that agreement, that right to self-determination holds true and should be respected. The only way that it can be, and for Ireland’s integrity to be respected with it, is for Britain to withdraw all claims to sovereignty in any part of Ireland, affording, thus, the space which it denies for the Irish people to determine their own future at a dedicated forum purposed towards same. To begin of that process, there is no time like the present.
SEÁN BRESNAHAN
Omagh, Co Tyrone
Joe Biden is on a mission
The announcement of a summertime ‘forum on neutrality’ days before the visit of President Biden seems to confirm the hunch of Patrick Murphy (April 1) that the visitor may be pursuing an EU-US collective defence type of agenda.
The irony of this coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement will of course be lost on those who are distracted by the ceremonial pomp and perhaps even politicians of government parties in Dáil Eireann. In light of the recent approval of a LNG terminal in Kerry which, if built, would be in a strategic location to act as a bridging point for Europe-bound US-fracked gas. Perhaps we could all take a moment to ask ourselves if this collective defence is actually defending peace and democracy, or is it more about defending economic interests, including the fossil fuel and arms industries. I sincerely doubt the visitor, or any government politicians, will be asking us themselves any time in the near future, by either referendum, or high-flung rhetoric about special relationships.
CONOR DOWD
Galway City
