Many dismiss it as impossible. Others claim it can only happen in a united Ireland. And yet others claim not to understand what is meant by it.

I am referring of course to the aim that, increasingly, dare not speak its name: reconciliation.

Those who dismiss it as impossible tend to either be beneficiaries of division or can’t imagine themselves personally ever being able to reconcile with “the other side”.

As for claiming that reconciliation can only be achieved in a united Ireland, that’s like declaring “it can only happen after our tribe wins”.

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A “victory” of one side over the other would not enhance the prospects of reconciliation – quite the opposite.

Either we all win or we all lose. And the only way we all win is by reconciling with one another and deciding the future together.

What exactly does reconciliation mean? Put simply, the opposite of what we have now.

More specifically, it is the creation of a society where a critical mass of our people lives at peace and in harmony with one another.

A society where a person is judged not by the colour of their skin, their religion, culture, ethnicity, or politics, but solely by the nature of their character.

Reconciliation is not a........

© The Irish News