A chara, – Your editorial (July 20th) about Taoiseach Enda Kenny's call for a Northern Ireland Border poll concluded: "All the more remarkable is the pointless touting of this idea when the considerably less ambitious North-South Forum had been irretrievably torpedoed by First Minister Arlene Foster."
Forget all that. Here’s the big question: how would unionists react if they were out-voted in a Border poll?
The short answer is that unionists will never agree to a united Ireland under any circumstances.
Unionists are serious about their British national identity. The underlying issue since Partition is the right of Irish people in Northern Ireland to national freedom as opposed to British sovereignty.
We need to forget about a united Ireland and assert our right to national self-determination. Pointless touting about a united Ireland simply avoids the fundamental issue of Irish freedom for Irish people here and now. – Is mise,
MALACHY SCOTT
Belfast.
Sir, – Further to Stephen Breen's comments, (Letters, July 23rd) I agree that if we are to have a constructive discussion regarding potential Irish unity, a new flag must be considered. Despite its original positive symbolism, the Tricolour has unfortunately become a symbol of division in Northern Ireland.
The Presidential Standard, a gold harp on a blue field, could serve a positive new purpose as a flag of a unified Ireland. Incidentally, the harp is also found in the third quadrant of the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, and is included on both Irish and British passports.
The harp is a rare symbol that is used by both unionists and nationalists. Not only is the harp a more ancient symbol of Ireland, its inclusion in the national flag would result in a more visually interesting one than the Tricolour.
As an alternative, if the Presidential Standard is considered to be too close to the flag of Leinster, the four provinces flag could be used. It is currently used as a symbol by several all-Ireland sporting organisations.
– Yours, etc,
GEORGE WALKER
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – One has to hold a grudging admiration for the sheer chutzpah of certain unionist leaders.
Having campaigned for and achieved Brexit, they dismiss the subsequent (and inevitable) calls for a Border poll as fostering instability! Winston Smith would feel at home.
– Yours, etc,
DERMOT MADDEN.
Tallaght,
Dublin 24.