British Plan for Ireland

The British initiative to give the Republic of Ireland a consultative role in the affairs of Northern Ireland is a move that has to be commended.

This latest plan, however, must be viewed as no more than a first step at correcting the deep and ugly problems that permeate Ulster. Unless some semblance of justice is restored to Northern Ireland any and every plan appears worthless. The areas of employment, housing, police protection and power-sharing continue to represent major arenas of discrimination against the Nationalist (Catholic) minority.

Britain has made a bold move in adopting the present plan. Let’s hope that there are also many other initiatives to follow that will not be allowed to wilt under Unionist pressure, but sustain a movement toward justice and, hopefully, peace in that province.

JIM GRACE

Upland