Northern Protestants: Time For a United Ireland?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- This is a recording of the online irishborderpoll.com debate which took place on 5th December 2022.
Is it time to ditch the misnomer ‘PUL Community’ when, since Brexit, increasing numbers of Protestants publicly reject the Union in favour of a United Ireland? Northern Protestant Claire Mitchell argues in her new book The Ghost Limb that there is a growing community of Protestants who wish to reclaim the Enlightenment spirit of 1798 and the United Irishmen? Is Claire correct or does she exaggerate the degree to which significant numbers of Protestants are open to the debate about Unity?
As the tectonic plates of the Union shift, Belfast Protestant Geoffrey Bell in his new book The Twilight of Unionism argues we are witnessing the decline of Ulster Unionism and good riddance to it. But at a time when opinion polls show support rising again for the DUP is there a danger that pronouncements on Unionist decline are premature and ill judged?
Protestant Ben Collins was once a unionist but disillusioned with Brexit and the state of pro-union politics he now campaigns for a United Ireland. In his new book Irish Unity he sets out the political, social and economic benefits of removing the border on the island of Ireland once and for all. He contends that Brexit is a game changer, prompting many Protestants to ask, “might I be better off in a New Ireland”? But is Ben right? Are growing numbers of Protestants really open to the conversation on Irish Unity? Join the debate and find out.
Should we view Claire, Geoff and Ben as outliers or as representative of a significant strand of Protestant thinking? Finally, to what extent does fear of being labelled a ‘Lundie’ still deter Protestants from raising their heads above the Constitutional parapet and joining the conversation?
SPEAKERS
Claire Mitchell - author, The Ghost Limb: Alternative Protestants and the Spirit of 1798
Ben Collins - author, Irish Unity: Time To Prepare
Geoffrey Bell - author, The Twilight of Unionism: Ulster and the Future of Northern Ireland
Chair: Kevin Meagher - author, A United Ireland: Why Unification Is Inevitable and How It Will Come About
as a man from the republic i found it so nice to see a mature, respectful discussion. very interesting, thank you to all who took part
Claire had a very different appoach. As a Quaker, She shows her 'Society of Friends' backround through her voice and her waves. When I was at Trinity College, Dublin in the 1970's my professor was a Quaker, and there were three others too in my class. The beauty of their acceptance for other religions has been so important to me since then. No wonder they are so respected in Ireland.
There's a school of thinking which suggests that ecumenism is an attack on the truth and blanket acceptance of all religions is a satanic ploy to divert people from finding the truth .. but you are so right that it's important to be kind to those with whom you may have belief differences
Quaker weren't really sectarain towards Irish Roman Catholics like Ulster Presbyterians and Irish Anglicans
Thank you Claire
It's breath taking that people like Kate Hoey can be on BBC news in January 2023 and make statements like 'the people of Northern Ireland are British and are totally against the protocol'.. nobody corrected her to say that 'half of the people of Northern Ireland are British and about 50% of them are against the protocol' .. and even add that 86% of the people of Ireland have no identification with Britishness today.
Nice to hear a balanced chat here and some open dialogue.
Brilliant, thanking you for a very interesting conversation.
Note how Britain has none of the functions of government in Northern Ireland. If the latter left tomorrow it would not make a ripple in the effects of the governing of Britain.
I'm a Dubliner who has long believed a United Ireland is the best future for everyone on this island.
This was very interesting to hear because I honestly believe the 3 main political parties in the Republic when I was growing up, FF, FG and Labour have always been Unionist despite anything they have ever said and that they were happier to be in power in 26 counties than take on any competition or deal with the hard work involved in uniting the island.
That's not to say I am a Sinn Feiner either though. I'm too old now to forget some of the stuff they have stood by.
I could genuinely write 4 paragraphs here about what I've just listened to but I won't.
One thing I would say that will unite all northern Protestants for the next 25 years, the single issue you will not be able to escape for at least a quarter of a century is "why do you hate Abba?" ;)
To be fair sinn feiners always get that rub you gave yet UK army massacres happened too much . unionist paramilitarys formed first , we had refugee camps in the 26 they burned people out . They gerrymandered took votes you ignore all that and loyalist murders and boil it all down to sinn feiners . This nation had no right to expel its people even under a vote .
What is this thing with Protestants hating abba? I’m from the north and I keep hearing this but I’ve never heard it before
As long as it’s ruled by Brussels eh.
I didn't mention the EU once, but Northern Ireland voted remain, the DUP are destroying the Union by protesting against the protocol which is good for Northern Ireland and the Republic isn't "ruled by Brussels" that's not how the EU works. I mean I could say Northern Ireland is owned by England but then I'd be as bad as you are! ;) @@ProfileP246
@@ConnbineHarvester 🤣 oh dear you need to study up.
Very interesting discussion . The link between 1998 and today is relevant i.e. protestants then and now are against things to be fair to themselves and people in general, that is the touchstone to light, people need their history.
Loved your contributions, Kevin Rooney. Very thought provoking 😅
Yes to United Ireland. It should never be divided. ❤
as a proud Englishman I agree with you 100% - p.s. I have yet to meet a fellow Englishman (or woman) who wants anything to do with N.I. - just stupid politicians who cower before the 'loyalist' community
@@zachsmith5515 English support for Ulster Unionists in England on You Tube
1798 was an interesting time, but horrific. Who fears to speak of 98!
Really enjoyed this. History is so important. My surname is Tynan, and my ancestors came from Armagh . As mercenaries for Cromwell we were planted in the midlands of Ireland. Through time we became Catholics . While I would like to see a 32 county state, how do unionists fit into a South that may be a little bit more liberal than they know. Could there be scope for thee 12 th to be a public Holiday in the Republic, considering at the heart of the battle was freedom to express being of a different belief.
And funny enough In my family there is a definite Scots northern vibe, which I think the Tynans were very clanish , and kept to certain family beliefs.
I was brought up in a very Catholic, Republican family in Dublin.
I see the Battle of the Boyne as an important event in Irish history so there is no reason why it shouldn't be considered as a Bank Holiday.
I also believe that if you are really Irish you will recognise The Sash as an Irish song.
Totally agree. We have to work on all aspects of bringing everyone to a united Ireland. It is what members of my family fought for both brothers and sisters. Our country was governed by Rome for far to long . They still owe the Irish State for their share in the collective shame of the fallout of the Ryan Report. somewhere in region of €700,000, 000 to ,€800,000,000. As the total was ,€1 6 billion euro for the redress board
Sinn Fein have stated their support for the 12th to become a national holiday in the event of reunification- they would have been thought of as the biggest obstacle to unionist culture integration but they're actually championing it.
We are already discussing unionists having a certain amount of seats reserved in Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament) in the event of reunification - this should only be for a set period of time imo lest it entrench a 'them and us' culture.
We have already discussed the changing of our national flag - such a monumental act is obviously not without its detractors, I'm unsure where I stand on it but I suppose if the union jack has to be changed to remove any reference to the North of Ireland then its something we may have to look at.
We are thinking of rejoining the common wealth, again not an easy discussion down south where the common wealth was once viewed as a diet British empire (though not so much these days).
We can only guess some of the dynamics that reunification will bring about as unionists don't usually engage in discussions around reunification believing a 'head in the sand' ostrich approach to be best.... even though this approach will be a grave injustice to the unionist community if reunification does proceed and a lot of major decisions have already been made without their input.
Tynan, Ó Teimhneáin, is a native Irish Catholic name. "Through time you became Catholics"?
@@cooldaddy2877 in my family's history we fought for Cromwell and ended up planted in laois and surrounding counties.This is how Tynan is a common surname still found in the counties of laois , Carlow, ,Kilkenny.
I feel the Irish identity is less and less associated with being Catholic. In the past, the association was strong. But, the scandals in the Church, the secularism in society, international influences with EU membership etc., all lead to a more secular definition of Irishness. In the same way as being French is not associated with being Catholic.
Enjoyed the debate and was minded to think about the fundamental issues surrounding the constitutional question. Identity and its recognition being central. How do we reconcile the Irish and British identity? Presently in the northern state the Irish are not afforded equal recognition across a whole spectrum of social and institutional fields. If for no other reason a Joint Authority approach (even as a transitional arrangement) would give the right and allow expression of multiple Identities. For the life of me I cannot understand the Alliance sitting on the fence position and think it is political posturing on their part.
L Nationaliy for those who dont want to feel that they are relinguishing their Brigtish I.D. SIMPLE REALLY!! bu GET ON WITH IT!!! I am in my nineties so cant wait forever...........Votail Yes, ta, Si, seadh or sure NOW !!! to effect CHANGE NOW!!! Fred😅
I think that we have a different attitude in the South twords Religion! Nobody really cares what religion you are or tries to ram their beliefs down your throat, but go happily to their own churches on Sunday mixing together throughout their working days with never a thought of what you do or dont believe in
..thats up to each individual. I grew up with both protestant and catholic Neighbours and friends in the 50s Ireland and there was never a question concerning religion. I had good friends and neighbours of all or no beliefs from both communities and We just went our merry ways to whatever church on Sundays and gathered together later as friends do!! Some of my best friends were Protestant and that was back in the 1950s.. We are all Irish and each doing our best to live our daily lives without too many complications LOVE XxFred.
i'm old enough to remember when Ireland was a Catholic country
@@zachsmith5515Yeah stop in 1980s Northern Ireland was Protestant/Presbyterian rule 1921-1972.
One education system, one police force, one health service, one civil service, surely that would make economic sense and would benefit all of the people on the island. The Protestant and Catholic churches are in decline due to a decline in people going to church so I think using both terms is played out now because what is the difference between a Protestant or a Catholic who doesn't practice their faith?
It was never about religion. What religious principles were we fighting over? That's right, none.
It's inevitable.
A single entity Ireland.
Despite some opposition, deep down people know it.
Does the Republic of Ireland want Ulster Unionists/Loyalists is huge question a good chance they vote no and NI vote yes.
Here in scotland independence started off at 14 percent in 2012 now at 56 percent the reason is religion is not involved if ireland has to move on religion must not be a factor but equal recognition for all communities
Radical Quakerism. Spot on. Have you visited Ballitore just off the M7 motorway going south east. Ballitore was a very radical Quaker community which is now associated with the Annals of Ballitore, a testimony to the horrors of 1798. Lovely museum there.
Irish rebellion 1798 one chance of 32 county United Irish Republic free of sectarainism
Congratulations to all the United Irelanders.
We are all Irish on this Island by Birth.
as a proud Englishman I agree with you 100% - p.s. I have yet to meet a fellow Englishman (or woman) who wants anything to do with N.I. - just stupid politicians who cower before the 'loyalist' community
Just an idea, I have never heard any opion from the protestants living in ROI. How do they feel about living there? Are they opprested? Or do they just get on with life. Who do they follow in politics?
The problem is, the British in Northern Ireland are protestants, the vast majority, do they want to dissolve the union with Great Britain, that is the question. If they did surely they'd fly the St Patrick's cross flag instead of the union flag. The enclaves, of unionism.
Ulster Unionists where United Irishmen some of thier ancestors
Yes why not even from an old idea of a united Ireland was from the the Official SF was to have Ireland’s old ancient provinces as there were five then ending up with four.
With a provincial capitals such as Belfast, with nine counties not just six.
Can't see the Dáil ever giving up their power to provincial parliaments.
Not before its time..I amnow turned Ninety so JUST DO IT NOW!!!!!!! BEFORE I AM GONE...😂
Snap before I’m also gone
Couldn’t agree more with you. May you live to be a 100 Plus
Many thanks - The best discussion on TH-cam. It is always harder to defend the status quo. People have always been attracted to - and will vote for new things, hope and change. People change their job, car, move house - even their relationships for something new. The grass is always greener. The bigger question for me is if unity is crumbling across these Islands between people who share so much - is why EU unity with so much difference in history culture language politics can ever succeed. The risk for Ireland in what ever form it takes is the failure of the EU project - this has deepening cracks and is lurching towards extreme right wing and populist politics, and is much more remote than London ever was. I will be alone in this - but I think Ireland should strengthen it relations with the UK and US. Both strong and culturally close friends with important trade links. Ireland throwing itself towards the EU is like painting our post boxes green - a desire to distance ourselves at any cost. I suspect long term - looking at growing economies outside the EU - Brexit may in the end succeed. It can clearly be more nibble, the EU is painfully slow and struggles to agree on anything. Reality usually catches up with dreams. A few months after the excitement of your new relationship you wish you would not have left your old friend and partner.
As I've anyways said, the south needs the north, as much as the north needs the south. Only then we will be able to begin exciting new chapter. Sadly it won't happen in my lifetime 😢
In many respects it makes sense, but both the EU and both immigration and illegal immigration are rubbishing Ireland, North and South. The perceived problem is Protestant and Catholic, the real problem is Islam and secularism and the rubbishing of patriotism.
You're wrong. There is absolutely no room in a united ireland for islamaphobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Can we fucking stop with the hate and divisions already?? Ireland can really become something beautiful if we all accept each other and forgive eachother
Great discussion everyone involved. Is Unionism wishing for a Wounded Knee and inflicting on themselves a Little Bighorn?
This has nothing to do with religion. It has only to do with colonialism. If you are Irish, then you want the occupied counties returned to Ireland.
as a proud Englishman I agree with you 100% - p.s. I have yet to meet a fellow Englishman (or woman) who wants anything to do with N.I. - just stupid politicians who cower before the 'loyalist' community.
I’m sure the British tax payer would say you’re very welcome to NI’s €15billion annual budget deficit 😂
Sorry but that’s ideological nonsense. The myth that “the British” or “the English” “colonised” Ireland has no historical basis.
@@SmokingJoe62That won't be needed if Irish Government make NI less dependent
So all the plantations in the North of Ireland never happened? You can deny history all you want. You probably don't even accept the Great Famine was British made, and you have the death of a million innocent Irish men, women and children on your empires hands
In the beginning United Irishmen consisted of 28 Protestants an 2 catholic’s if South Africa India can live in peace why not the 32 counties of Ireland Gove peace a chance Give Ireland back to the Irish not for London not for Rome
Eire simply could never afford to support the infrastructure that exists if it was to reunite the northern provinces. The British government has thrown more money into Northern Ireland than Eire could count all the homeless beggars that line the streets at night in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
@@thingme9941 lol you're showing a severe lack of information about Ireland, probably because you're Australian.
Firstly there are homeless people all across the UK too so less of your nonsense, how many food banks are there in the UK? About 2500, how many in Ireland? About 5.
The money the UK has thrown into NI is based on a British structure of government, civil war in NI, bloated security services, bloated civil service, a pointless royal family and associated costs like army, navy, nukes etc.
In a united Ireland the 6 counties will just be an extension of the neutral Irish state and the people of the north will live from the money they generate with balanced books. Unity will benefit the whole island, north and south in the medium and long term. There has already been an in depth study on this by a Canadian university.
Get used to it in your mind because it's coming.
@@RazorMouth A disproportionate number of homeless in comparison with the UK. Having enjoyed our time in Ireland as free-thinking Ozzie Catholics you have to accept the fact that multi-lane highways are built by simply painting another line in the middle of your roads.Try living in Eire if you're a Hebrew macrame weaver or an Islamic Maori rugby player? How many of your naval vessels are out patrolling the high seas? Ninety-four. 755% of the time they're tied up in dock in Cork because Eire can't afford to pay for the linament and the fuel. We also enjoyed the fact that to go to the great US of Eh you not only have to go through Irish security but American as well which demonstrates certain short-comings. You're dead right about the Royals because we know your President Wot's 'is Name featuring on the World stage at Lansdowne Park each season and along with an Englishman as a coach has shown didley-squat concern for us Irish descendants living in the real World planting Kumera. About time the Black and Tans went into Dublin this time and cleaned up the grime.
The comment about the EU being a successful peace project. The rapid/reckless EU expansion has arguably triggered a war in Ukraine. EU leaders hinted at membership - which usually goes hand in hand with NATO membership. The EU ignored warnings about this and stung the Russian bear into action. EU expansion has caused Europe's worse war for decades.
British influence in the North of Ireland is certainly coming to an end, whether the likes of the DUP like it or not, partly because the British looks on the North, as a thorn in Its side. The most sensible solution that I saw being put forward, was a two state solution, to start. Where the North of Ireland would apply for re entry to Europe, through European and world wide good will, they would see massive investment. Secondly and most important, it would remove any attempt by the DUP to instigate a type of a civil war and over time, as people heal and things normalise, they may decide they want to unite but that has to be the decision of the people of the north as a whole.
The Special Position of the British Crown as being held in high esteem by a significant proportion of the population of the Northern Cuige..................?
Irish unity now!
as a proud Englishman I agree with you 100% - p.s. I have yet to meet a fellow Englishman (or woman) who wants anything to do with N.I. - just stupid politicians who cower before the 'loyalist' community
Collins and Meagher were both politically active at the NIO. A future Labour government should ensure that office is completely purged of republican 5th Columnists if and when they take power.
Nobody who wants to see the constitutional dismemberment of the UK should have any part in its national governance.
Can I ask this simple question iam British I join Ireland as one country I get married have kids which Wud make them Irish so in true fact’s British people Wud be wiped out in sixty to seventy years because in Northern Ireland we all born British some want to be classed as Irish so would the laws change so people can be born British in a new Ireland
Re-partition and cantonalisation is much more likely than re-uniting the whole of Ireland. Otherwise there'll be a huge bloodbath. By cantonalisation it should be possible for over 95% to live in the state they want.
The other possibility is a condominium, like Andorra.
Absolutely unacceptable.
They deserve the same consideration they gave us , none
You won't be sorry if you choose unity. Religion is no longer what it was. So many people are no longer religious
We are going to have to go far beyond the United Irishmen,, to unite Ireland and be able to keep the rights of all the people living in the north.
It is not up to Nationalists to "sell" Irish Unity to the PUL community. As usual, Unionism is behaving in an anti-democratic fashion and assumes it should be courted or "bought off" - a Tory tactic - that has been successful in the past. Nationalists know where they are heading. We have leadership and a vision for the future; they can join us in that future or remain stuck in the past. Their choice!
Cloud cuckoo land
opinion polls in the Republic show the MAJORITY of the Irish people only support a United Ireland if the UK continues to subsidise Ulster after re-unification! so it seems that being 'bought off' is a Nationalist tactic!
@@joprocter4573
😭😭😭😭 demographics 😭😭😭😭
#ScottishNotBritish #IndependenceisNormal 🏴 🏴 🏴
British Emperialism caused Ireland's divide. There was no religious issues until this Unionist English Gov partitioned.
Sorry, but that’s nonsense and totally without historical basis.
There is no demand for a border poll. less than 30% of Northern Irish citizens are interested in unification and not all of them would vote for the financial hit it would cause them. Between 25% and 30% also identify as solely as Northern Irish, so independance would actually be a better option for the Northern Irish future. With independance Northern Ireland could go through the pain of sorting its GDP, join the EU and get the benifits of that for itself, just as the south did when it first joined. The empty Ireland syndrome outside the greater Dublin area would be avoided, which causes an average of 50% of the remoter counties of the Republic of Ireland populations to emigrate. We would also continue to get the benefits of our close proximity to the Great Britain markets as well as the EU markets. A win, win. Other than when Britain invaded Northern Ireland, centuries after the south was occupied, it has always been independent, wouldn't it be a shame to break that proud record. Ironically the considerable pain Northern Ireland has to go through is the same for unification as it is for independance and the benefits of independence are far greater.
Northern Ireland was never an independent country it was part rest of Ireland and divided.knto.many kingdoms all where religiously and culturally United.
Its natural practical and right . 2 of everything from tax laws to health services . Then IRELAND is open to unionists they can still say they are british they would have a new constitution to keep them happy and the state will bend over backwards to make sure you lose nothing .
So EU 'minimum' standards should be celebrated? Nonsense. We all know businesses & people will get away with what they can to save money. Governments responsibility is to set good standards. EU animal welfare remains abysmal - The UK quite rightly improved welfare laws immediately after Brexit. A good example of having control of your own affairs.
“I wasn’t going to be bombed into a United Ireland.” Fair enough, but then how is it ok for the British Government to bomb Dublin and Monaghan, among other places, to maintain a partitioned Ireland? And any chance Russia will get a GFA for the Donbass? Or Turkey for Cyprus? Hardly. Which means the GFA is just an imperial ruse for maintaining Brit hegemony in Ireland by normalizing and institutionalizing the undemocratic unionist veto.
No they didn't, that was the UVF.
@@colincampbell4261 Collusion with the British security services, we're well aware of it. You just haven't been told "yet".
Just the same as when the US and Britain use their grubby little paramilitary groups in the middle east to do their dirty work, so when they're caught the yanks and Brits have deniability.
The truth will eventually come out.
@@colincampbell4261 UVF officially perpetrated the attack but it is well documented at that how often the Brit Security forces and loyalist paramilitaries had colluded. Just the month before the attach the proscription against the UVF as a terror group had been lifted and during the Barron Inquiry a Brit Intelligence Officer gave evidence and claimed that the attack and others had been in part perpetrated by members of UK state forces (MI5/6/RUC/Special Branch) and the UVF. It has never been conclusively proven without doubt but many point to the fact the British states' refusal to release documents in relation to the attacks as damning in of itself.
Free Ireland 🇮🇪💚✌️
🤣🤣🤣 yeah...from the EU. There won't be an Ireland as you've known it within 20 years, your politicians have fckd you all over, uniting with the North should be the least of your worries.
Free Queenzland from Australia.
@@thingme9941 Free all of Australia from the evil freemasons
@@aknightwhosaysni2475 We, sons of freemasons who have served this country take umbrage to those sort of NON-rugby-playing heterosexual Christian European socialist liberal democratic pedagogic remarks.
@@thingme9941 🤣 👍
Irishness has no boundaries never had.
You're dead right and that is why my great-great-great ancestors headed for the lights of Australasia either as convicts or as self-paying passengers.
Nationalism, in any part of the world, is a modern and ugly thing.
Forget unity. Just concentrate playing that sassenach game of rugby UNION maintaining that 110 year global achievement of beating the All Blacks and continuing to do so especially all those Polynesians with Irish surnames ie Jonah O'Lomu, Aron MacSmith, Hoskin O'Sotutu and Angus O'Ta'avro.
Aron Mcgowan ,Mcgowan means son of the smith just saying
About time! Growing up in Dublin in a Church of Ireland institution, and working also in Dublin before emigrating to the U.K., and then Australia quite some years ago i saw an arrogant and controlling Catholic Church in Dublin, as well as a triumphalist Orange Lodge in the North despising those with a different viewpoint! A nation built on division and fear! How absolutely stupid… Mind you, the Irish Republic had no qualms about surrendering their freedom to the EU, after many patriots died for Irish freedom in 1916!
“The Irish” have never really managed to rule themselves; the Republic is as you point out a vassal state of the very undemocratic EU. I suspect the problem is that the concept of “the Irish” is an illusion, and one that has caused much misery.
The Irish Republic has gone completely down the woke toilet; don’t know why anyone would want to join it.
The sensible thing would be for the Republic to ditch the EU and apply for readmission to the UK…but there’s very little sense to be found down there.
Not the sharpest tool in the box are ya
@@andykane9866 Not a tool at all…unlike The morons who put up with their woke elite puppet masters.
These people r deluded if they think british ulster will ever surrender
How’s about no. We don’t want a United Ireland and no coercion or many years of violence will force us into one.
Nobody is forcing anything.
But if the people of NI vote for reunification then that's what will happen.
No coercion or violence will be necessary. Irelands Re-unification will be the result of a Democratic vote by the people of Ireland, north and south. This time round though, Westminster will have no power of Veto. It's now 2023 not 1921.
A federal Ireland is probably worth examining. The old Ruari o Bradaigh suggestion
Being born in Ireland does not make you Irish in fact being born elsewhere could almost make you just as Irish! (but not quite) but then more so than the Johnny come latelys.
The south has massive immigration problems and Belfast could now be anywhere in the world. So incredibly sad. I wouldnt bother going there but it is a massive part in my family history.
Tell me more?
We have an immigration problem?
Due to Ukraine or what?
Where are you from?
@@RazorMouth You sure do, if you are not sure maybe you need to keep up.
I'm from Asgard.
There is no immigration problem in the south , The only problem in Ireland is the likes of you!
@@rsqyoungUlster Unionists chase out refugees let alone immigrants that bad for PR
Tx very interesting
if people in the south want a united country then theyre welcome to join northern ireland - yes a 31 county Northern ireland is the right future
The Irish people wouldn't want to take their society back to 1690 thanks all the same
If it was the south to the north, it would be all right, but it sounds the north to the south, so into the EU the north goes, which I wouldn't like if I lived there.
It has to be agreed on both sides, it is time to put the island of Ireland back to what it should be ,as one. And the future with the EU as one island is a secure way.
@@columbannon9134 The Schengen agreement open border scheme is not doing Eire much good though, though we seem to be having an open border in Britain.
@@WilliamJohnwon1522 Ireland isn't in Schengen. Maybe you're confusing it with freedom of movement.
Sorry to inform you but EU immigration is the life blood of the Dublin economy.
@@RazorMouth Nothing to do with replacing the local people who already live there in that small country, replacing there cultures.
@@RazorMouth Nothing to do with replacing the natives and replacing the culture of the people who already live in that small country, which seems to be happening to Europe as a whole.
Gods morals don’t change no matter the year.
I agree the republican state needs to go and all Ireland needs to come back into the UK 👍
Dear lord. You're delusional
Ireland will never ever be in the Union, and Ireland WILL be united. You're going to have to deal with it. If you hate your own country so much you should leave
Deluded
Id like to see unionists spread through all the counties . I know 99.9 % would activley protect your right to be who what you want . Younger unionists get a more liberal nation in unity . Keep 4 local assemblys too .
We the the people of the Republic of Ireland has no interest in any form of English or British rule.
I do not understand why some believe that a United Ireland is inevitable. I just don’t see it. Why would Ireland want to unite with Northern Ireland? What are the benefits? What would Northern Ireland bring to the table that would makes lives better for the citizens living in Ireland?
Partition was wrong and it should never of happened. But unification now, coming up on 102 years since Northern Ireland was created, is also wrong and totally unnecessary.
I recently watched a former PIRA prisoner speaking of a “New Ireland”, as, in his words, simply unifying with Ireland now would not be enough. They view the Irish Government as corrupt and that the island of Ireland deserves better. So do we take it that republicans in Northern Ireland would like to get rid of Irelands Government and start afresh? Totally ludicrous and never going to happen.
As with everyone in Ireland, I am glad that the bullets and bombs have been silenced. But in the 25 years since the GFA was signed, the political parties have made no attempts at integrating the communities. Peace Walls are still a feature. The Irish flag is still burned on Unionist/Loyalist bonfires. There is no trust between the communities.
It is time for Northern Ireland to grow up. They have to honestly deal with their recent bloody past and look to working together for a better future. For me that does not involve unification. Whether it means leaving the UK and looking at some kind of independence, that would be for their representatives to decide.
Only two things in this world are inevitable, taxes and death. Unification definitely is not. If a border poll (NI) and Referendum (Ireland) were called in the morning, I would vote against it.
Do not lump all NI political parties together. The Alliance Party is based entirely upon community reconciliation. Alliance was mentioned in this debate. Their views and their ambitions should have been more closely examined - including their view that Irish unity can and will be pragmatically considered if and when the still raw wounds of 30 years of bitter sectarian conflict are much further down the road towards healing.
@@denisloretto5766indeed the Alliance Party are impressive and I do like Naomi Long. She is a no-nonsense politician. It is time for the Designation System to be reviewed, especially if support for the Alliance Party continues to grow. They should be allowed to nominate a Deputy First Minister if they finish second in a GE. This would definitely reduce the risk of Stormont sitting idle as it is now.
@arthurgoodness7865 Thanks Arthur. I live in London now but I have skin in the game as one of the founder members of the Alliance Party back in 1970. Somehow our mixed protestant and catholic membership and our message of reconciliation
survived among the bombs and the bullets and now the time has come for people of goodwill to get behind the party.
These people are so out of touch with the unionist people - it’s actually unsettling.
@@danbreen6601 They are British, and lived there for centuries, that outlook is pointless. Look at many places around the world. No different. It is just the primary problems never went away. Because loyalism was one providing for one section of Northern Ireland.
@@danbreen6601 Loyalism, sure, but the reality is they are British. I'm British, but not from NI. And I have no connection to NI. There is no point in dissolving the union with GB, in order to have many people who don't want to live in a United Ireland. Better off, trying a devolved road, for example, the coast of NI could be given to stormont, instead of westminster. A flag, a national anthem for NI, and lastly, perhaps some sovereignty of the air space to stormont, so Northern Ireland Air corps, which would work alongside the Royal air force. But the NIAC could be for the defence of the province or state, or country as the British refer to it as.
@@danbreen6601 It isn't me who is being deluded, the British have lived in NI for centuries that is the difference. The NI Air corps is for the defence of NI skies from Russia or who ever. The British themselves there must want to live in a United Irish nation, there is no point in this subject, if they don't want to in the first place.
Raymond haskins.
Ur the one that's out of touch. Time is moving forward.
U still live in the 1600hundreds.
Wake up and smell the coffee ☕️.!!!
@@blenderocean Sorry what? No only a majority of NI citizens are required for unity. 50% + 1 vote.
Since when did we agree that most unionists needed to agree to it? There is no unionist veto on unity. That died in 1998.
The brits caused
Southern catholics times for united uk
Not with sin fenn/ira murderers
It doesn't matter about that party or the Democratic Ulster party, what about Alliance, they are the majority, regardless of the idea of a referendum.
Fair play, I shouldn't be too shocked you would prefer your own murderers.
@@martinlee465 2 wrongs don't make it write
@@gavindouglas7020 so your wrong is the acceptable one !!!
@@gavindouglas7020
Your DUP/UDA/UFF pals make Sinn Féin look like geniuses.
Northern catholics time for a united Kingdom heading any better
Nothing United about it
but that would mean you also have to join the EU surely ?.