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An outline of a just and lasting constitutional settlement for Northern Ireland, by Stephen Plowden
It is widely believed that a constitutional settlement for Northern Ireland satisfying the aspirations of both unionists and nationalists is an impossibility, even a contradiction. That might be true if, as is also widely believed, the only alternatives were for Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom or to leave it and to join the Republic of Ireland. But another possibility is for Northern Ireland to be part of both countries. This paper outlines a solution based on that approach.
The suggestion is that Northern Ireland should be a largely autonomous province both of the United Kingdom and of the Republic of Ireland, responsible for the administration of almost all the functions of the state other than defence and foreign affairs. Northern Ireland would continue to receive subsidies from the rest of the United Kingdom for as long as was necessary, but they would be phased out as improvements in the local economy permitted. Various safeguards would be built in to protect minority rights. Where all-Ireland cooperation on particular topics would be advantageous, it would be approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Parliament and organised by the northern and southern government departments concerned. Northern Ireland's citizens would have full citizens' rights in both countries, including the right to elect TDs for Northern Irish constituencies.
To provide precise and detailed solutions to the legal, fiscal and other problems raised by this approach would require lengthy and careful study by experts in each field. The discussion in the paper goes far enough to show that the problems are technical rather than fundamental and could all be solved given the will. Very little compromise is required by either unionists or nationalists, and this approach would also satisfy the large number of people in Northern Ireland who do not belong to either camp.
If unionists are to cooperate in a search for a solution along these lines, they will need firm assurances that the Republic of Ireland and southern political parties really would be committed to making it work and last. Some statements by nationalist leaders seem to give this commitment, only to be contradicted by remarks which suggest that they would regard any settlement that might be reached now as an interim solution only, to be replaced one day by a 32-county Ireland without any British connection.
(Continued on page 44)
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