Lynch's romancing
Sir: Might I be permitted to com- ment briefly on Mr Lynch's inter- view with Ian Lyon?
One point in particular stands out from this interview and that is Mr Lynch's failure to specify which reforms he desires to see imple- mented. A reform cannot exist in isolation. but must be related to a situation which needs to be im- proved. It is unfortunate but this word has been used to such an extent recently that both users and hearers alike have long since ceased to consider what is meant by it— this is made especially dangerous by the emotive nature of this ex- pression which calls for careful use when debating serious topics.
There is a second subject in the interview which also calls for com- ment. For the information of Mr Lynch the figures relevant to the Construction of houses in our two countries over the last five years are that during this period Northern Ireland has built 51,000 houses and the Irish Republic only 55,000 houses. When these figures are related to population our record is seen in its true perspective.
The figures per thousand of the population arc: Northern Ireland 33.89 Irish Republic 18.6 In the public sector our record is even better: Northern Ireland 22.59 Irish Republic 6.16 There was a suggestion that Northern Ireland was an economic burden to the rest of the United Kingdom. The fact remains how- ever that the people of Northern Ireland receive not a penny that they are not entitled to. The trade statistics for 1968 show that Northern Ireland's total trade in- creased by 18 per cent compared with the previous financial year. Between 1963 and 1968 industrial production in Northern Ireland rose at an average rate of 6.8 per cent compared with 4 per cent in the United Kingdom as a whole. Our economic record compares favourably with other parts of the country.
When Mr Lynch commences to romance about a 'United Ireland'. which historically has never existed, and which in the future could exist in name only, I wonder whether the people of the Irish Republic would not be happier with a prime minister who devoted his energies to the realistic task of improving the lot of his own people, so that at some future date they might enjoy the same standard of living as do their counterparts in Northern Ireland.
Jeremy Burchill Queens University Conservative and Unionist Association, Students Union, Belfast
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