Reference to the Northeastern corner of Ireland being "national territory" was removed. In its place, law makers guaranteed the people of the North a

MURPHY has got to thinking about the fate of Articles Two and Three in the Irish constitution, which concern the Government's territorial claim over the Six Counties.

Their value was debated as part of a referendum built into the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

We knew the public voted to abandon the territorial claim to the North contained in the original articles, but what now constitutes the national territory - 32 counties or just 26 (not forgetting Rockall, of course, and any oil or gas in the vicinity)?

A phone call to the Dept of Foreign Affairs set Murphy's mind at ease. After the referendum, Articles Two and Three were amended but not deleted.

Reference to the Northeastern corner of Ireland being "national territory" was removed. In its place, law makers guaranteed the people of the North a right to Irish citizenship and to be "part of the Irish nation".

Our expert tells us the desire for a united Ireland is still enshrined in the revised articles.

But it accepts this must only be done in harmony and friendship with the democratic consent of the majority of those living in Northern Ireland.

Hard to argue with that.