Sean Lemass
...ncere about opening relations with the Unionists in the North, but a host of anicent problems and grudges stood in the way. First, was the issue of even recognizing the Northern Ireland government as existing. The republic of Ireland’s constitution claimed control over the North and disdainly reffered to it as the six counties and not Northen Ireland. This was a major sticking point for Ulster Unionists who would continually refuse to meet or negotiate with Sean Lemass until his government recognized their mere existence. Lemass wanted badly to open dialogue with the North, but at the same time he also knew that it would be completely unacceptable for him as Taoiseach to recognize Northern Ireland as a legitimate entity. Other Problems plagued Sean Lemass’s numerous overtures to the North. Many Unionists had serious reservations about the Republic of Ireland. They strongly objected to articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution which claimed jurisdiction over the whole island including the North. Unionists also felt threatened by the Irish constitution's declaration of the 'special position' of the Catholic Church and also by the Catholic Church's policies, such as banning members who married Protestants from bringing up their children as Protestant. Security was another serious concern of Unionists who wanted to see more done to curtail the IRA and the violence they wrought on Ulster. Most people in Ulster felt that a Northern Ireland Prime Minister should not associate with the Irish government in any capacity. Sean Lemass understood these reservations by Unionists and worked hard to assuage their fears. From the start of his time in power he attempted to meet with Lord Brookenborough, but was rebuffed every time. Unionists did not trust Lemass and his attempts at cooperation even when “he made it clear he had no hidden agenda.” They “considered him a traditional nationalist, the proverbial wolf is sheep’s clothing…” Brookenborough, from Fermanagh where there is a Catholic majority had intense distrust of Catholics. He and his government were utterly uncompromising when it came to dealing with them in any capacity. This was evidenced by the rejection of a proposal for a regional free trade agreement between the North and South, brought by Northern Ireland’s minister of commerce. Lemass continued to press for better relations by amending the Republic’s constitution, taking out the controversial language regarding the Catholic Church and Eire’s dominion over the whole Island, Brookeborough still would not consent to a meeting. After twenty years of futility in setting up negotiations, Lord Brookeborough finally left power and was replaced by the more moderate Terrance O’neill. O’neill was completely different from Brookeborough in that he attempted to reach out to Catholics. He did not bend completely. Like Lemass, O’neill understood the political necessit...