The announcement of a splinter republican group the “Real IRA” that they will target more police officers and indeed target the Queen during her visit can only provoke nothing but disgust and anger. There will always be some opposition but these threats of violent terrorist action are not representative of Irish Society here. The legacy of British rule in Ireland is by no means forgotten but we have moved on as a nation and a people. The visit by the Queen does provoke thoughts back to Irish Independence and the rule of the British but that was a time 80 years ago.
They should never be forgotten but we must strive to move on remember the fallen but lead our nation in a democratic way and that means forming and maintaining good relations with our neighbour. The actives in Northern Ireland were the responsibility of the Protestant dominated Stormont Government and the Saville Report did show that the UK was able somehow to put right some degree of wrong. More work needed there though. While many including myself would like to see a United Ireland, no innocent blood should ever be spilt for it, and by innocent blood I mean every citizen north and south of the border including the security services of both states.
A Unification of the island can only come through the democratic will and ballot box opinion of people at both sides of the border. These splinter groups both republican and loyalist need to be brought to justice and their attempts to derail the continuing peace process are nothing short of disgraceful. The warm relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the UK is important to both countries. There are many trade links between the UK and Ireland. Indeed the UK has more bilateral trade with our country then the markets of China, India Brazil and Russia combined.
Issues of Northern Ireland are also regularly consulted with between Dublin and London which shows the strength of resolve from both Governments to have an effective approach to the constant threats occurring. The air route between Dublin and London is the busiest in Europe while also Irish and British tourists regularly make up a significant amount of revenue in their visits across to each other’s countries. Indeed the visit by the Queen is being used to showcase Dublin and my own county of Cork.
See RTE News site:
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