Sir, The decision of the electorate in the Republic of Ireland to remove the absolute ban on the dissolution of marriage from the Constitution was achieved by a very small majority in consequence, the outcome has been divisive and has led to some concern about the democratic process. Referendum voting may be perceived as a sound democratic tool, yet it is not without flaw. A St per cent of vote may bring in change, or prevent it, in the teeth of the opposition of 49 per cent with disastrous consequence the Treaty debate springs to mind.
Referendum voting, as an advance on referendum voting, has been advocated within the New Ireland Group for more than a decade. In 1994 its main protagonist, Peter Emerson, dealt with the subject in detail in his book The Politics of Consensus for the Resolution of Conflict and Reform, of Majority Rule
However, the outcome of the recent referendum is perceived the Executive Panel (1995) of the New Ireland Group had no difficulty in supporting the "Yes" vote, yet we are concerned about the divisiveness caused by the outcome. Accepting that it will be some time before anything more sophisticated than referendum voting is likely to be introduced, we therefore plead at the outset of 1996, with so much need for good will, tolerance and understanding in Ireland, that both the "Yes" and "No" groups might come to a new understanding of the complementary yet distinctive roles of both Church and State in an evolving Irish society.
Long may the churches hold aloft the Christian ideal indeed it would be strange if they did not. It is also right, however, that the State deals with our imperfections. Rather than perceiving the outcome of the recent referendum in terms of victory or defeat, would it not be better to accept that Church and state are now more free to do what each does best on the one hand, to prepare people adequately for the implications of the marriage vow and the sanctity of subsequent family life on the other, to support family cohesion through a radical reappraisal of social organisation and to look on failure with compassion? As we move towards the new millennium, 1995 may yet prove to have been the watershed when Church and state were disconnected, to the advantage of both and to the benefit of all. Yours, etc., New Ireland Group, 85 Charlotte Street, Ballymoney, Co Antrim.