Flag-waving

Judging by the anodyne results of the Anglo-Irish summit last November, the Government has ignored the suggestions of the Kilbrandon Inquiry's Report on Northern Ireland published just before the premiers met; but historians should not repeat the omission.

The Report contains the findings of an independent investigation into the 'practicality' of constitutional and administrative changes regarding that unhappy province, taking as its point of departure the Report of the New Ireland Forum and the issues thus raised. Like the Forum Report, the Inquiry spent some time analysing historical questions; and like the Report, it attempts at the end to rearrange the historical debris of the Ulster policy. But its emphasis is instructively different.

To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.

Buy Online Access  Buy Print & Archive Subscription

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.