Madam, - Stressing that "the feelings of betrayal felt by many Northern nationalists towards the Republic need to be acknowledged and addressed, as well as the feelings of unionists", the chief executive of Co-operation Ireland, Tony Kennedy, urges the Irish Government to bring about a genuine programme of reconciliation through a process focused on mutual understanding (August 26th).
It seems to me that such a peace process is an imperative contained in the symbolism of our national flag. A booklet (An Bhratach Náisiúnta), published by the Stationery Office, explains that "the combination of both colours in the tricolour, with the white between in token of brotherhood symbolises the union of the different stocks in a common nationality".
There can be but little, if any doubt that this "common nationality" is the one proposed by Thomas Davis. It called for "internal union" and was not to "prelude civil war". In a sense, it now calls on us who see Ireland's destiny as a united independent country to achieve that destiny by first waging love to win the hearts and minds of the Republican movement and of those Northern Nationalists who feel betrayed. - Yours, etc.,
JAMES McGEEVER,
Kingscourt,
Co Cavan.