A chara, – Eoin Ó Murchú asks what would be the point of a devolved six-county entity under Dublin’s jurisdiction in a united Ireland if it too had a nationalist majority (“New approach to a united Ireland needed”, Letters, 7th July).Instead of ignoring the concerns of Northern Protestants, an alternative approach might be to consider the upsides for people in this jurisdiction?Many of us have been lifelong supporters of a united Ireland, while also having a great pride in the fine country that has been built here since independence. This patriotism brings with it a natural reluctance to contemplate fundamental changes to the Irish Republic as it exists today.Opposition to the compromises that might be required if the immediate endgame were a 32-county unitary state could easily lead to the rejection of a border poll in the 26 counties, leaving the campaign for unity in complete disarray.Instead, a proposal which, for the moment at least, leaves both parts of Ireland largely as they were but united as a confederation within the European Union might be the one ballot measure likely to gain majority support North and South. The conversation may only be beginning, but to some of us the conclusion already seems clear. – Is miseDAVID CARROLL,Dublin 2.