is it time for a United Ireland

[Grant85]

what with the Brixit sticking point and the renewal of armed conflict in NI, is it time for the UK to consider a United Ireland?

I think this is very unlikely. Have a colleague who lives in NI. His take on it as follows;
* anyone who lived through the troubles is fairly keen to not risk going back to those days
* the people who are too young to have known what that was like are generally speaking, getting on with life and are content enough with the current settlement to really push the buttons on this.

Also - the Belfast Agreement makes it almost impossible for any kind of referendum / border poll to even be put to a vote in Stormont and they probably aren't going to get much of a nudge from Dublin and certainly no assistance from London.

Could it happen... perhaps... but I'd say this is decades away barring something very sudden or unpleasant happening. Even if Boris's deal comes into being and NI defacto remain in the EU rather than being part of Britain.

 

[Scoobiesnax]

what with the Brixit sticking point and the renewal of armed conflict in NI, is it time for the UK to consider a United Ireland?

No.

So we are told a hard border will bring back the scumbag Republicans into an armed conflict (they never went away!). On the other hand a united Ireland will end up bringing back the scumbag Loyalists (they like the drugs trade more these days!). It's a very fine balance as it is already; any tipping of that either side and the troubles could restart.

 

[jim8flog]

If we are going to have a united Ireland why not make it simpler by having a united Europe.

 

[Hobbit]

There should never have been a divided Ireland!!

But it should be for the people of Northern Ireland to decide their own future. However, bearing mind the sectarian violence there's been in its recent history can you imagine the level of violence that would be seen during a referendum, and is it really a question that should be asked at this time?

Also, I do wonder how a country could disentangle itself from full integration, inc. benefits/employment laws etc etc. Brexit has shown its extremely difficult but can you imagine the level of change needed for NI to switch from a UK based system of govt to a Dublin system of govt?

 

[chrisd]

For the citizens and military who lost there lives protecting the border I think it would be a betrayal

 

[Hobbit]

For the citizens and military who lost there lives protecting the border I think it would be a betrayal

But what were they protecting the border from Chris? Invasion?

Its an impossible circle to square, or at least for a few more generations.

 

[chrisd]

But what were they protecting the border from Chris? Invasion?

Its an impossible circle to square, or at least for a few more generations.

No, not in that respect but you do get my point Brian I'm sure

 

[Lord Tyrion]

There should never have been a divided Ireland!!

But it should be for the people of Northern Ireland to decide their own future. However, bearing mind the sectarian violence there's been in its recent history can you imagine the level of violence that would be seen during a referendum, and is it really a question that should be asked at this time?

Also, I do wonder how a country could disentangle itself from full integration, inc. benefits/employment laws etc etc. Brexit has shown its extremely difficult but can you imagine the level of change needed for NI to switch from a UK based system of govt to a Dublin system of govt?

It has been difficult as one side has made it so. What if both parties wanted it to happen? The differences will not be that major although I do accept that there will be a range of details that would need ironing out. They may have to run two systems side by side for a while and gradually transfer over.

We may well see this occur with Scotland in the near future so we could well get to see how tricky it is. I am sure it will be smoother than the UK-EU split though.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

For the citizens and military who lost there lives protecting the border I think it would be a betrayal

If it brings peace then why not?

Conflicts happen, we move on. We are on good terms with most countries we have fought against in the past, it is the only way forward no matter how hard it is to take.

 

[chrisd]

If it brings peace then why not?

Conflicts happen, we move on. We are on good terms with most countries we have fought against in the past, it is the only way forward no matter how hard it is to take.

You see the north and south being happy to "move on" ?

 

[Farneyman]

The Vikings managed to settle in Ireland after they invaded it so Im sure a few folk from the 6 counties will do the same...eventually

 

[Hobbit]

No, not in that respect but you do get my point Brian I'm sure

I do understand where you're coming from Chris. Those who lost their lives at border checkpoints were there to try and stop arms from crossing the border, along with those identified as being persons of interest to the Police and the security forces. They weren't there to maintain an divided Ireland or the Unionist cause.

I also feel that the harping back to the past is why the North has its problems. Should the old soldiers in the UK have feel betrayed because Boris Johnson shook hands with Angela Merkel?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

You see the north and south being happy to "move on" ?

Never been to Ireland so I am not qualified to answer that. I suspect, as with most conflicts, it will take a few generations to pass before the north is ready for that, it is not just around the corner. Time is the great healer etc and ultimately they will have to move on or as a nation bitterness will eat them up.

 

[chrisd]

I do understand where you're coming from Chris. Those who lost their lives at border checkpoints were there to try and stop arms from crossing the border, along with those identified as being persons of interest to the Police and the security forces. They weren't there to maintain an divided Ireland or the Unionist cause.

I also feel that the harping back to the past is why the North has its problems. Should the old soldiers in the UK have feel betrayed because Boris Johnson shook hands with Angela Merkel?

As has been rightly stated - time is a great healer. I was in Belfast a couple of years back and the murals are still on the walls and road barriers still able to be deployed. I didn't detect any appetite for a United Ireland

 

[Lord Tyrion]

As has been rightly stated - time is a great healer. I was in Belfast a couple of years back and the murals are still on the walls and road barriers still able to be deployed. I didn't detect any appetite for a United Ireland

From all that I have seen on tv, news etc I would agree with you. Even if the majority wanted it there is clearly a very unpleasant section of society that could cause mayhem and people have to ask if that is worth it.

Do they run polls regarding this in the south of Ireland? Do they want the north back in?

 

[chrisd]

From all that I have seen on tv, news etc I would agree with you. Even if the majority wanted it there is clearly a very unpleasant section of society that could cause mayhem and people have to ask if that is worth it.

Do they run polls regarding this in the south of Ireland? Do they want the north back in?

I've no idea, let's be frank though they cant even get an assembly together after a couple of years

 

[Coffey]

From a person who live in N Ireland and did not live through the troubles I can say that there is little to no chance of it happening.

A number of years ago they took the Union Flag off the City hall and there was riots for weeks.

But then again, stranger things have happened

 

[Hobbit]

As has been rightly stated - time is a great healer. I was in Belfast a couple of years back and the murals are still on the walls and road barriers still able to be deployed. I didn't detect any appetite for a United Ireland

My parents were Irish, and I finished my schooling there. I also managed the Ireland office, which included the operations in the north. My number 2 was Belfast born and bred. The fragility of the Good Friday Agreement, and the violence that occasionally rears its ugly head... I don't think any sane person would advocate a united Ireland until there's been a decent period of stability and, maybe, a couple of generations have passed.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

For those who missed it, this is the hilarious moment when a bright young thing has a brilliant new idea.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1184954058278424577

 

[Liverbirdie]

Never been to Ireland so I am not qualified to answer that. I suspect, as with most conflicts, it will take a few generations to pass before the north is ready for that, it is not just around the corner. Time is the great healer etc and ultimately they will have to move on or as a nation bitterness will eat them up.

How many generations has there been since the battle of the Boyne, and even before that?