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15 January 1998 Edition

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Coming to terms with the C word



The Northern Irish Crisis: Multi-Party Talks and Models for a Settlement
By Daltán O Ceallaigh
Published by Léirmheas Publications, PO Box 3278, Dublin 6
Price £4.50.

The detailed knowledge of the constitutional issues between Ireland and Britain and the talent for political analysis which he displayed in his previous books have been applied again in this latest work by Daltán O Ceallaigh. Its publication is timely as it focuses on possible scenarios for constitutional compromise in the current negotiations.

It is timely also as it comes during yet another of unionism's recurring crises. Having repeatedly told their people that they will not lead them towards the political change which is inevitable, the unionist leaders face rebellion from their grassroots. Unprepared for change, conditioned to react in a Pavlovian manner to any progress, or perceived progress, for nationalists, unionism is fundamentally challenged by the talks process. In this book O Ceallaigh analyses that challenge and assesses the possibilities for advancing nationalist objectives in the conditions arising from the Stormont talks.

The first part of the book consists of a very useful analysis of the development and decline of `constitutional republicanism'. Other sections analyse the issue of consent itself and the nationalist consensus. Models for a settlement are put forward ``not as definite answers in themselves, but as ways of trying to grapple with several realities and injustices of the immediate situation''.

O Ceallaigh says they do not constitute the preferred option - ``that remains a united Ireland in the deepest sense of the term''.

The author introduces new concepts, some of which may grate with republicans.

``Multilateral consent'' is put forward by way of a riposte to the unionist/British consent argument, and in recognition of the reality that Dublin and the SDLP have already conceded much ground to the British and unionists on the straight nationalist argument for the whole of Ireland as the unit of consent. He explains it thus: ``The multilateral perspective includes northern nationalists, and indeed also the people of Britain and of the 26 Counties in so far as they are affected by any settlement. That is the way to outmanoeuvre the gerrymandered or hegemonic consent so often spoken about. (Another manner of dealing with this aspect is to speak of ``democratic consent'' and then go on to define that as multilateral, ie unionist or unilateral consent is not democratic.)''

Suggesting what might be an ``honourable compromise'' for nationalists O Ceallaigh states that ``the task is to move forward while also leaving the way open for further national development''.

While a unitary Irish Republic is the ideal for nationalists ``it is not fully operable at this juncture'':

``However, northern nationalists have certain fundamental human rights of both a libertarian and a national kind, and the latter need to be accommodated to some extent now, which may also be seen as a possible interim arrangement''.

O Ceallaigh then outlines his ideas for optional jurisdiction and redeliniation. Basically they boil down, in the first instance, to individual citizens in the Six Counties being able to opt for Irish or British statehood, and in the second, for electoral districts being able to opt in or out of the United Kingdom or the Irish state. This would be incorporated in constitutional change, with Britain repealing the Act of Union and Section 75 of the Government of Ireland Act.

He suggests that the Irish and British governments should each have an office in every District to which citizens could relate as they chose. The idea of redeliniation is put forward as a means of breaking down the sectarian Six-County state but, while he denies that it amounts to repartition, it is hard to see how, in practice, it could be anything else.

Perhaps these ideas are less important than the author's argument in favour of strategic thinking regarding constitutional compromise. As republicans we must assess how such agreement can be reached while leaving the way open for further movement towards our ultimate goal in the next phase of struggle. And struggle there must be. As O Ceallaigh states: ``The background to the talks for nationalists should be an intensive and sustained political and ideological struggle.'' And again: ``It is not sufficient to plead; one must organise''.

Read this thought-provoking book.

By Mícheál MacDonncha

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland