Northern Ireland
#241
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If Irish Catholics one day made up 60% of Nth. Ireland and say 55% of them wanted the North to be joined to the South, therefore the majority of the population of Nth Ireland supports it would you also support it then?

#242

Assuming that Protestants and others in Northern Ireland would overwhelmingly support the Union, that would be nowhere near enough.
Clearly no-one is suggesting that Northern Ireland should stay British against its will. However, a vote of 50%+1 of those voting should not be sufficient for a fundamental, irreversible change of constitutional status.

#243
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I think mistakes were made in the twenties and maybe there was a strong case for a united Ireland, but it didn't happen and who knows how the unionists would have reacted had it happened. We may well have seen innocent customers blown to smithereens in pub bombings in Cork (without warning) and Irish police and soldiers being killed on the Shankill Road (yes, i know about the Dublin bombings, pretty much a one off). The Irish economy was a shambles until recently and i cant see that they would have been able to contain over 1million angry protestants.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to speculate that Ulster unionists, in the event of a united Ireland, would adopt the attitude that says 'Well, you guys did not, for the last 38 years, allow a stable Northern Ireland, so here's a wee bit of your own back, fellas'.

#244
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Yes, absolutlely correct, unionists would be out-voted 4 or 5 to one. Gerry Adams has made a good point before, stating that unionists would be an influential 20% of a united ireland, whereas a the moment they are just a miniscule 2% of the UK. However, Northern Ireland is a reality and i back them as part of the UK as long as a majority want it.
Ade S
Ade S
Last edited by Guggler; Feb 26th 2007 at 3:33 am.

#245
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Ulster unionists want nothing to do with the Republic of Ireland, other than the cultivation and maintenance of the kind of normal relations that should apply between two countries that share the same land border. So, shite on the 20%, we'll take the 2% any day.
Last edited by Guggler; Feb 26th 2007 at 3:34 am.

#246

under EU laws those in the north that wish to live in a Republic of Ireland can do so legally by moving 50 miles south

#247

Ade S

#248

Indeed, a case might be made that Unionists should be lobbying for the return of the three 'lost' counties of Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal.
But surely the reason that these parts of Ulster were not amalgamated into Northern Ireland originally still remain. That they have large catholic populations and small protestant populations. In fact, that would bring a united Ireland closer, because if they were, your majority would cease immediately and they coudl vote all nine counties into the Republic. Besides, im sure (quite rightly) that the Republic would resist. Im a unionist with a small "u" but i think it wiser to consolidate what you have at present!!
Ade S

#249

Actually, throughout the years many from the republic have travelled to Northern Ireland, almost all from the catholic nationalist or republican tradition. Ironically, they would have moved there seeking work in the more prosperous Northern Ireland because it was part of the UK, and thus recieved the work and social security benefits that go with being in the UK. But then, having arrived, most (but not all) would have probably voted for a united Ireland, Strange.
The following famous republicans not even from the island of Ireland
Hugh Doherty (glasgow)
Patrick Doherty (glasgow)
Seán Mac Stíofáin (born John Stephenson, London)
Sinn Fein Northern Ireland MEP not from Northern Ireland
Bairbre de Brún (or Barbara Brown, Dublin)

#250
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As I have the right, if I choose (and I haven't, so far, as I can't really be bothered than for any political reason), to get an Irish passport, it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. NI's troubles have been perpetuated by people who insist on calling themselves one thing or the other - it truly doesn't matter and isn't relevant in the great scheme of life!


#251
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But surely the reason that these parts of Ulster were not amalgamated into Northern Ireland originally still remain. That they have large catholic populations and small protestant populations. In fact, that would bring a united Ireland closer, because if they were, your majority would cease immediately and they coudl vote all nine counties into the Republic. Besides, im sure (quite rightly) that the Republic would resist. Im a unionist with a small "u" but i think it wiser to consolidate what you have at present!!
Ade S[/QUOTE]
You're absolutely correct, of course. I was just making the point, albeit tongue-in-cheek and a bit facetiously, that when it comes to making territorial claims, two can play at that game.
Ade S[/QUOTE]
You're absolutely correct, of course. I was just making the point, albeit tongue-in-cheek and a bit facetiously, that when it comes to making territorial claims, two can play at that game.

#252
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Actually, throughout the years many from the republic have travelled to Northern Ireland, almost all from the catholic nationalist or republican tradition. Ironically, they would have moved there seeking work in the more prosperous Northern Ireland because it was part of the UK, and thus recieved the work and social security benefits that go with being in the UK. But then, having arrived, most (but not all) would have probably voted for a united Ireland, Strange.
The following famous republicans not even from the island of Ireland
Hugh Doherty (glasgow)
Patrick Doherty (glasgow)
Seán Mac Stíofáin (born John Stephenson, London)
Sinn Fein Northern Ireland MEP not from Northern Ireland
Bairbre de Brún (or Barbara Brown, Dublin)
The following famous republicans not even from the island of Ireland
Hugh Doherty (glasgow)
Patrick Doherty (glasgow)
Seán Mac Stíofáin (born John Stephenson, London)
Sinn Fein Northern Ireland MEP not from Northern Ireland
Bairbre de Brún (or Barbara Brown, Dublin)

#253

There are different debates about his past. Some say his mother was an "irish" protestant from Belfast, others that he had absolutley no irish connections whatsoever.

#254
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Anyone see the film the Wind that shakes the Barley, those Black Tan British soldiers were very brutal.


#255
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 34




Having grown up in Belfast and experienced sectarianism first hand i realise there is no quick fix solution. I find the older i get the more wearisome become the arguments.All the opinions expressed on this thread are valid no matter which side you are looking from.I know only two things for sure,the solution to the Irish problem will never be found at the end of an Armalite (i had eight long years to think about it) and Ireland will be one nation some day,it is inevitable.
