Insular Cork must reach out

The passport for Cork displays a singular, and insular mentality, which creates a focus of resentment from its neighbours, and would only reduce Cork’s capacity to develop, rather than promoting Cork.

The concept is worth consideration if it was integrated into a passport for Munster. This would incorporate a strong collective voice which could enhance the region of Munster. After all, if Cork contemplates going alone, then it would be no better than Dublin, which is one of the reasons for having the passport in the first place. It is vitally important that no county should become greater than the others if we are to develop Ireland collectively, but if we have provincial assemblies, and a small central council for national issues, then the Munster passport would have some validity. This insular objective could become detrimental to its promotion, and leave Cork dependent, on a predictable population.

Liam Ó Conaire