Sir, – Think about it. Northern Ireland is being removed from the EU against the wishes of a majority of its people. Courageous efforts continue to address the harmful consequences. But we have a way back. The Belfast Agreement maps out a pathway for our return to the EU. In the context of Brexit, it would be odd not to talk about this and to plan for it. As a matter of basic democratic principle, people here should be offered a choice about their constitutional future through the pre-existing mechanism embedded in the agreement. A precise timeframe would also be helpful and would focus minds. Those who repeatedly pour scorn on the agreement’s constitutional route to a future within the EU are the divisive figures in this discussion. This is the ideal time to begin the necessary preparations. – Yours, etc,
Prof COLIN HARVEY,
School of Law,
Queen’s University Belfast.