Madam, - I read with great interest the latest views of Senator Martin Mansergh on the Northern Ireland Peace Process (Opinion, March 20th).
In my view, the concerns and aspirations he outlined could well mean the following measures would have to be examined if re-unification of the whole of the island of Ireland is to be realistically considered in the near future;
1. A fundamental review of Article 15.2.1 of the Constitution concerning the sole and exclusive Oireachtas right to make State laws - as different Government structures, community traditions and political practices may be difficult to merge.
2. The key element of unity by consent must be extended as an opportunity for lasting progress to all elements of both societies and not just pro-Agreement parties.
3. Some form of campaign should be considered by both Governments/sides to bring about a renewed respect for the commanding referendum support for the Belfast Agreement by all peoples of the island of Ireland.
4. A separate referendum on the issue of a timetable for the decommissioning of illegal arms should be put to the people - the original deadline for this process expired on May 22nd, 2000.
Both Governments have an ever-increasing duty of care to both peoples of the community to bring the peace process not only to fruition, but also to a constructive, lasting and binding conclusion as soon as possible. - Yours, etc.,
MARK WAKEFIELD, Mercier Park, Turner's Cross, Cork.
Madam, - Martin O'Connor (March 23rd) takes Dr Martin Mansergh to task for being thoroughly naïve about the advantages the people in Northern Ireland would have in a united Ireland.
I suggest Dr Mansergh is not only naïve, but arrogantly chooses to ignore the only significant fact that matters: the majority of Roman Catholics in the North, and almost all Protestants, do not want a change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. All recent polls reached this conclusion, Mr O'Connor explains some of the reason why they make this choice.
Dr Mansergh should stop drumming on about swallowing these people into our corrupt, monolithic state. Instead he should reverse the coin and invite us to enjoy the benefits of a united Ireland via a devolved government in the UK.
After all, he himself was born and educated there, so it can't be that bad. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN ROCHFORT, Earls Court, Waterford.