Sir, - The peace agreement on North/South relationships has accepted the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose. The amended Article 3 of our Constitution aspires to unite all the people ". . . in all the diversity of their identities and traditions, recognising that a united Ireland shall be brought about only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people, democratically expressed in both jurisdictions in the island".
The achievement of a united Ireland in accordance with this aspiration poses a serious challenge to the spirit of the people, Irish and British, who share this island. We can very quickly become apathetic if we lose faith in the noble ideal and this in turn can bring a return to violence.
It is my sincere hope that a restlessness for noble and beautiful things which is driven by the spirited necessity (as espoused by the patriot Terence MacSwiney in his "Principles of freedom") will keep us on course to achieve unity by way of partnership and friendship - so necessary for all our people on this island. - Yours, etc., Franklin J. O`Sullivan,
Barton Drive, Dublin 14.