It is Ireland, not the Republic of Ireland

Those in Northern Ireland who are offended when this state is addressed by other than its designated name, have no problem whatsoever being as disrespectful to Ireland by calling it the Republic of Ireland.

The Republic is a description of what Ireland is, just as the North of Ireland is a description of where Northern Ireland is, however if we are to be respectful to both places, then we should use their designated, official names and the names they wish to be known as.

Ireland is the official name, it is recognised internationally as such.

The Irish constitution of 1937, Article 4 grants two official names Éire or Ireland.

It was as Ireland that it joined the United Nations in 1955, and the European Union in 1973.

And in the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 the Irish Government is referenced as the Government of Ireland.

Ireland is also the name of the country on the Irish passport.

Mary Russell, Ballyregan, Dundalk, Co Louth