Dublin and London must begin talks with dissident republicans – otherwise the credit crunch will be replaced by a new civil war.
Judging by the tone and content of traditional Easter Rising commemoration speeches, republicanism is just as divided as Northern unionism.
No one in Ireland wants another 40 years of bloodshed. Now is the time for the Dáil and Westminster governments to either directly, or through backdoor channels, speak to those who represent dissident republicans.
But they need to move fast. Ireland cannot endure another conflict. In the early 1970s, the British flew top Provisionals to England for talks, but it was to be two decades before the Provos' ceasefire in 1994.
Are we expected to wait until 2029 before dissident republicans declare their ceasefire? If Israel can talk to jihadists in Hamas and Hezbollah, then Britain, Dublin – and even Stormont – can talk to the various factions comprising the dissident republican movement.
What needs to be clearly established first is precisely what dissidents are fighting for? Is it another 'Brits Out' terror war? Is it to allow certain dissident gangs to flex their muscles as to who controls Ireland's lucrative criminals empires, or is it to simply embarrass Sinn Féin?
Dissident terror tactics may be to have a number of separate groups to confuse the police and MI5. However, political dissident republicans need not only to speak with one voice, but also require competent negotiators to put their case.
My Easter message to dissident republicans is simple – let's talk. This terror conflict is not like the 1970s. You don't enjoy the majority support of the republican family.
You won't have southern politicians calling for the Irish Defence Forces to mobilise along the Border – or even invade the North to help your hardline units.
This time, Dublin and London are united in condemning your campaign. Dissidents can negotiate an honourable truce, but the clock is ticking. The world's patience with you is wearing thin.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness stood with top cop Hugh Orde and called you 'traitors'.
That's just one step away from maintstream republicans turning a blind eye to the SAS and the South's anti-terrorism units rooting you out.
Even radical right-wing unionists like myself fully recognise your primary reason for not talking at this stage in your campaign is fear – fear that those who negotiate with London and Dublin will be branded the new Michael Collins.
It is not in the unionist family's interests to see rebel tear rebel apart. The republican family must speak with one voice if Ireland is to survive the credit crunch.
The only message the Easter Rising speeches sent to us unionists – and indeed to many nationalists – is that republicanism is becoming increasingly unstable.
Politically, dissidents republicans need a single, united forum. If you can't call a ceasefire now, at least tell us who we can talk to about negotiating one.
Is it Republican Sinn Féin, 32 County Sovereignty Movement, the IRSP? Tick, tick, tick, please give me an answer.
