Madam, – We have long educated American presidents and others about their Irish ancestry. Will her majesty not feel deprived if we do not trace her roots to some Irish locality? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The noble aspiration for a united Ireland is enshrined in our Constitution (Article 3.1): ‘It is the firm will of the Irish nation, in harmony and friendship, to unite all the people who share the territory of the island of Ireland . . . recognising that a united Ireland shall be brought about only by a peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people, democratically expressed, in both jurisdictions in the island. . .”.
British policy in Ireland is largely responsible for the division of our country, and the exercise of her sovereignty over the six counties runs counter to the above aspiration in the Constitution. While we now enjoy a close and cordial relationship with Britain, to characterise that relationship as normal is inaccurate.
It is my contention that in officially welcoming Queen Elizabeth, who is the commander-in-chief of the British armed forces, the State is engaging in an exercise that approximates to legitimising and formally accepting Britain’s role in the affairs of the North – both in the past and present times. – Yours, etc,