There has been extensive media coverage of plans to end the 300-year-old exclusion of Catholics from the throne. On one level this has to be welcomed.That such blatant discrimination still exists is outrageous and says much about the position of Catholics - most of whom have an Irish background - in British society.

However, forgive me for not getting too excited about this proposal. Firstly, I suspect that when it comes to the crunch our politicians will lack the political will to push through this reform. Secondly, and more importantly, like most Irish people I'm a republican. For me monarchy has no place in a democratic society. I'd be far more enthusiastic about a proposal to abolish this ludicrous anachronism.

Interestingly I was listening to Five Live when this story broke and the journalist Mary Kenny was wheeled out to give the Irish Catholic perspective. Surprise, surprise Mary's not too bothered at all about the exclusion of Catholics and she thinks the British monarchy is a wonderful institution. Some things never seem to chage.