Sir, - Rejoining the Commonwealth would destroy Ireland's identity and sovereign separateness and seriously affect our relationship with our mainland partners in the EU.
I offer a few pointers:
Despite its New Labour government, Britain is still seen as the reluctant member of the EU. Ireland, on the other hand, has shown itself to be an unequivocal and enthusiastic member. For Ireland to now seek membership of a British club would send the completely wrong signal to our mainland partners, particularly as EMU takes off with Ireland in and Britain out.
All existing members of the Commonwealth are located long distances from Britain; and the vast bulk of them are substantially bigger than Britain. We, however, are where we are and are the size we are. Whatever chance we may presently have of persuading Britain that Ireland is not part of the "British Isles", we would have no chance at all as a member of the Commonwealth. Even within the context of the Good Friday Agreement, Ireland looks forward to something called "The Council of the Isles"; Britain looks forward to a "Council of the British Isles". How is it that Germany manages never to refer to Austria and Germany as "the German states"?
Canada has been quoted in correspondence as having no identity problem despite being a member of the Commonwealth. But Canada's identity frustration is directed at its next-door-neighbour, the geographically smaller but commercially bigger US, because Canadians are continually asked abroad: "Are you American?"
Australia will soon become a republic and may well also leave the Commonwealth because ASEAN is infinitely more relevant to it. Similarly, the EU is infinitely more relevant to Ireland.
Correspondents have referred to the fact that a number of our wealthy EU partners on the mainland also have "frightening imperial hangovers". Granted. But no one is suggesting, for instance, that Spain and Portugal (once a reluctant part of the French Empire) should now consider joining some sort of French Commonwealth.
No one doubts the sincerity of Chief Anyaoku when he outlined the role of the Commonwealth as he sees it today; and if his Nigeria's expulsion is one day rescinded, no doubt that will be to the advantage of a country like Nigeria. But for a country like Ireland there would be no gain; and there might just be one hell of a loss. - Yours, etc., Vincent MacCarthy,
Cloncat, Fordstown, Co Meath.