Sir, – If the present state of world affairs has taught us anything about ourselves it is that Ireland’s voice on the world stage, as it is currently used, is a small one and is, more often than not, only raised as part of the EU27, which does not always reflect our position or values.
While there may be good reasons for Ireland’s voice being thus, we are, nonetheless, missing a huge opportunity to voice with moral authority an alternative way forward. Perhaps we have forgotten, or now take for granted, the tortuous route to peace on this island.
The good people of Northern Ireland – all of them – endured 30 years of war, bombs, bullets, bloodshed and atrocity heaped upon atrocity until we discovered another path. That path required people to take risks for peace.
It required people to stand up to their friends, and not just their enemies. It required people to realise that agreement threatens no one and that agreement had to be found. It required people to talk to people they would rather not talk to.
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It required people on all sides to put aside their bottom lines. It required parity of esteem. It required honest brokers nationally and internationally and it required people who did not want their legacy to their children and grandchildren to be another generation of war and bloodshed.
Most of all it required great patience, perseverance and resilience on the part of key players – it required them to bring their support bases to the table and to put away the bombs and the bullets for the greater prize of a just and lasting peace.
Ireland has a very well documented blueprint for the path to peace. We have the moral authority to refer to it, as an alternative to war and violence, and as the best and only way forward. We can promote this blueprint on the world stage while at the same time avoiding direct criticism of the superpower that holds the Sword of Damocles over us.
We are not powerless or voiceless on the world stage and in fact we are uniquely placed to speak truth to power. Now, more than ever, and maybe for the first time, Ireland needs to be courageous and needs to raise its voice to promote peace through internationally supported dialogue, discussion, negotiation and agreement. – Yours, etc,
GARY DOYLE,
Straffan,
Co Kildare.
