It is about time republicans stopped childishly pretending or visualising that Northern Ireland is part of an extended Republic. From a legal point of view Northern Ireland is hardly an undocumented part of the world yet to be claimed by explorers. It has been diplomatically pointed out to republicans by unionists that the matter has been settled in the Good Friday agreement and, critically, the Irish constitution. Article 3 reads: "that a united Ireland shall be brought about [only] by peaceful means with the consent of the majority of people, expressed in both jurisdictions".

Northern Ireland is very much part of the UK and has been since the Act of Union in 1800. The fact was reiterated by unionists in the 1922 Free State constitution who opted out of a single state. Unionists are hardly going to throw in the towel at this late stage. There is a long way to go before we get anywhere near a referendum in both jurisdictions. Religious and political differences will certainly put pay to that for decades or centuries to come. Is it viable in this background for republicans to treat Northern Ireland as if it is there to be won, when one considers the time span of over 200 years as part of the UK?

Maurice Fitzgerald,

Shanbally,

Co Cork