I UNDERSTAND why the editor upholds the principle “Hear all sides” but sometimes the tosh which appears is excruciating.

Ireland has been “independent” for 90 years. The troubles which cost so many lives arose because Britain recognised the right of selfdetermination by Ulster, which has so far preferred to remain part of the UK. Five thousand members of the Ulster Division died, or became casualties, fighting for Britain at the battle of the Somme in 1916.

Ireland renamed itself Eire in 1937, and remained neutral in the Second World War.

Eire is not in the Commonwealth. It is in the Euro zone – and the UK is not.

Eric Shuttleworth, Darlington.