A chara, – Hugo MacNeill argues that the time is not right for a Border poll because of a lack of mutual respect ("Lack of mutual respect and understanding makes Border poll premature", Opinion & Analysis, February 15th). He cites his belief that the views expressed through The Irish Times by nationalist politicians lack conviction, without any evidence of that lack of conviction. He refers to a belief that the North is "a failed state" and partition hasn't worked as evidence of some lack of understanding. Refusing to see those views as legitimate is a glaring example of a lack of mutual respect and understanding. In the remainder of his opinion piece he refers to the nationalist position through the prism of the Dublin Government and Taoiseach Micheál Martin. This exercise in in itself shows a complete lack of respect for the Northern nationalists. Micheál Martin does not speak for Northern nationalists on this issue.
Mr MacNeill may have failed to notice that Northern nationalists have already begun discussing the issue with all sides. Perhaps the lack of mutual understanding might be eradicated if commentators took the time to look at who represents “the other side”. – Is mise,
KEVIN MacDERMOTT,
Cavan.