Northern factions should come out of trenches

THE political abyss is awaiting Northern Ireland if it doesn’t come up with a workable solution for the Assembly soon.

No one expects a miracle to happen overnight, but it seems like a great waste of time, effort and money not to give the Assembly every chance.

Northern Ireland has been mired in sectarian conflict for generations. The Assembly offers some hope of moderating tensions, but there’s no way of knowing for sure until its fully operational. For some, fear of the unknown is enough to restrict them to the sterility of their own dogma.

Everybody knows what the old arguments are — but they are not going to take Northern Ireland forward. Surely it’s time for all factions to come out of the trenches.

Maurice Fitzgerald

Shanbally

Ringaskiddy

Co Cork