Britain, Ireland and the Brexit debate

Sir, – The DUP’s support for Brexit is another sign that the party and its wider support base struggle to come up with a coherent identity post-Belfast Agreement.

It is great that London sends £9 billion a year to keep the economy in Northern Ireland ticking over. It means that there is no need for Arlene, Edwin, Gregory or anyone else in that party to move beyond an Enid Blyton understanding of macroeconomics.

The City is anti-Brexit because of the financial implications but the DUP does not care. The UK has a serious productivity problem that is not going to be magicked away by a vote. – Yours, etc,

CATHAL RABBITTE,

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Athenry,

Co Galway.

Sir, – What a strange place Northern Ireland is. Unionists determined to leave a union and a group called “Sinn Féin” determined to stay within it. – Yours, etc,

FRANK M FLANAGAN,

Clareview,

Limerick.

Sir, – Irony of ironies that hardline unionism would undermine the British Conservative leader’s EU agenda. And just how, one wonders, might the prime minister reward this ever-pandered-to Northern Ireland conservative/unionist constituency in the event it were to swing the Brexit balance?

What bleak prospects lie in store for insular provincials bereft of a secure Tory lifeline, not to mention mainland handouts to beat the band? Is it an own-goal recipe that will see the red hand come up empty-handed? Or maybe a case, Lord save them, that Ulster will fight and Ulster will be left behind? – Yours, etc,

OWEN MORTON,

Sutton,

Dublin 13.

Sir, – If Boris Johnson becomes prime minister of England, will his acceptance speech be in Russian, Cantonese or Mandarin? – Yours, etc,

EUGENE TANNAM,

Firhouse, Dublin 24.

Sir, – Has anyone yet considered the effect a Brexit will have on European fiscal space? – Yours, etc,

NORMAN LOWTHER,

Raheny,

Dublin 5.

A chara, – In 1976, a British prime minister did away with special category stutus. I see now that another British prime minister wants to bring it back. – Is mise,

PAUL DORAN,

Clondalkin,

Dublin 22.

A chara, – What debate? This momentous decision, which will affect us probably more than any other country, has scarcely been mentioned in the election campaign! – Is mise,

S O’CUINN,

An Charraig Dhubh,

Baile Átha Cliath.