Before calling for a border poll, Sinn Fein should explain how its ‘new Ireland’ would actually work

COULD Sinn Fein please explain, in detail, how a united Ireland would deal with non-nationalist/republican people, given the sectarian history of the Republic of Ireland?

People with British culture and political/religious ideology will not easily be integrated into a new Ireland, because their views may well conflict with the majority population.

Will Sinn Fein accept and respect in full the wishes of the minority in the full knowledge that their views may well conflict with the very existence of the new Ireland and perhaps result in undermining the state?

Will Sinn Fein carry out economic sanctions against the minority population, as performed in the past by the Republic? Will Sinn Fein seek to deport sections of the minority population by force or paid removal?

Will Sinn Fein embark on a second-class citizen approach in an attempt to control the minority population?

Sinn Fein needs to understand that you cannot build bridges using Semtex. It must produce a full document outlining how a new Ireland can be formed before fanning the flames of fear with continuous calls for a united Ireland.

I lived in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. I came from a loyalist background. However, I was never religious and was always willing to treat all people with respect.

It would be refreshing if the hatred for anything Scottish or British was removed from Sinn Fein and replaced with a shared sense of history.

I now live in Australia, but I still hold out hope that Sinn Fein will leave the people of Ireland to live in peace with their shared culture.

COLIN REID Byemail