A turning point in British-Irish relations

More than ever, we are reliant on something other than goodwill from Britain, writes political reporter Juno McEnroe

A THAWING in Irish-British relations in recent times has seen celebration, further pacts to benefit both economies and a realisation that the war is over. Old wounds can heal. Amid a maelstrom of financial events in Europe though, Ireland is also tied to an economic umbilical chord with its neighbour.

Who can forget Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland last year? There was that minute’s silence after the British monarch laid a wreath in Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance at the memorial for those who died fighting for Irish freedom. A year later and it is clear Britain is Ireland’s new best friend.