Give those in the North a vote on staying in the EU – with us
■ There is a blindingly obvious solution to Brexit and the Irish Border. Bear with me.
The Irish Free State of 26 counties was formed in 1922 with an inherent Catholic bias later to be built into the Constitution (in direct opposition to ‘Protestant’ Britain).
Some 100 years later Ireland has become a more liberal, secular and cosmopolitan republic than anyone could ever have imagined.
Northern Ireland wanted to remain in the EU (by a respectable number, of 55.8pc). Thus now is the time for Northern Ireland to hold its first referendum on its complicated relationship with Britain and Ireland.
What would a 32 county Ireland (member of the EU) look like if a majority voted to leave the union?
Up to 40 extra representatives in the Irish Parliament (representing the six counties). Instead of the Irish title of Teachta Dála (TD), all elected representatives in the new Irish parliament would be called MIPs (members of the Irish Parliament).
Alternate sessions of parliament held in Belfast (Stormont) and Dublin (the Dáil). Irish no longer required for entry to the civil service or Garda etc, as English is constitutionally recognised as the leading language of the country. Everyone living in Northern Ireland allowed to hold a British and/or an Irish passport.
A Britannia-Éire mix suited to the pluralist nation of Ireland.
Britain could finally figure out its political relationship with the EU unhindered by its physical geography (internal Border).
The choice is simple: would Northern Irelanders prefer to identify as Irish Europeans or British nationalists?
Alison Hackett
Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin