Discussion: All Ireland Relations

The Good FridayAgreement provided the opportunity for a new focus on old discussions and debates around the differences in culture, politics, economics of the peoples of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Cross border economic co-operation may increase. However, political, ideological and cultural differences remain the subject of discussion, debate and analysis - and some hostility. The perceived failure of intellectual, political and civil society in the republic to understand unionism is receiving renewed attention. The notion that polity and culture must be congruent lies at the centre of the debate on Irish politics, nationality and culture.

The Irish Times archive contains contributions to wider debates and discussions. Fintan O'Toole writes critically on identity and the political culture of the republic.Dr. Tom Garvin (politician) writes on the establishment of the Irish state. John A.Murphy (historian) provides critical and controversial views on 'Irish Partition'.

Both British and Irish:  An outline of a just and lasting constitutional settlement for Northern Ireland, by Stephen Plowden In this paper, Stephen Plowden challenges the widely held view that unionist and nationalist aspirations necessarily conflict. He outlines a constitutional settlement in which Northern Ireland would become a largely autonomous province both of the UK and of the Republic of Ireland.

Sean McDougall critically examines an Irish politician's recent comments on Irish history. He notes with dismay the highly selective construction of Irish history which informs these statements and the degree to which the political culture of the Republic fails to engage with the Protestant contribution/dimension of our past.

The Irish Times Archive section
The Irish Times Archive section contains many articles, discussions and  reports of conferences on the issue of All Ireland relations.  These include reflections on economic co-operation, political structures and history among others.  A key dimension of the discussions since the Peace Agreement has been critical probing of notions of Irishness and Nationalisms.