‘Flawed’ proclamation is part of the problem

EACH Easter the Proclamation of the Irish Republic is read with great solemnity at the 1916 commemoration.

It is treated almost as a sacred document. I assert that in fact it is seriously flawed in that it encapsulates and perpetuates the root causes of the conflict on this island.

It says: “The Irish Republic is entitled to, and hereby claims, the allegiance of every Irishman and Irishwoman”.

This is a belligerent threat to one million unionists who had, by then, very forcefully proclaimed their right to self-determination.

Likewise its statement that “the differences carefully fostered by an alien government, which have divided a minority from the majority” is totally dishonest.

The British always contemplated a single home rule parliament for all of Ireland and were surprised by the strength of unionist opposition. They tried every kind of persuasion, including a threat to send in the army to coerce unionists into all-Ireland home rule. Only when the army effectively refused did the British government accept that unionists could opt out.

The uncritical acclamation of the proclamation only contributes to our self-delusion and double-think in relation to the conflict on this island.

Dick Keane

Silchester Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin