I read in an Australian newspaper not long ago that Catholics are increasing in NI much faster than Protestants. I made the not unreasonable assumption that this is because Catholics are less likely to use birth control - it IS the doctrinal position of the Pope after all. I am perfectly aware that many sensible modern Catholics DO use birth control because I am married to a Catholic! However it does not seem 'nasty' to me to ascribe the slowly increasing ratio of NI Catholics to Protestants to this factor, and it seems to offer an ultimate peaceful assurance that Ireland will eventually be re-united, whatever political problems are faced there in the meantime.

I guess the clear message to the IRA is 'make love not war!'