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They will never be able to provide us with the resources that the UK provides us.
That may be true even when Irelands economy was roaring as the "Celtic Tiger". However don't assume the UK will always be predisposed to providing all the money it currently does. I remember reading the Guardian poll that said a majority of those surveyed thought NI cost the UK too much money, and they would be happy to see it reduced or eliminated by it going back with the whole of Ireland.
As to it not being an issue, the Republicans are not going away any time soon, so the question of re-unification will continue long into the future. When the population of Catholic/Irish gets to a tipping point over there, it will be inevitable that a vote will be called. The Loyalists of course will not want it, but how they will react if it passes is another question all together. Hopefully by then they will be disarmed to help avoid any more bloodshed.
That is what the GFA was/is all about, and it seems like the best way to help keep the peace. However if the UK suddenly cut the funding by a significant amount, would someone such as yourself still feel the same way.
Another words is it totally economic from your perspective, or are there political/cultural considerations?
That may be true even when Irelands economy was roaring as the "Celtic Tiger". However don't assume the UK will always be predisposed to providing all the money it currently does. I remember reading the Guardian poll that said a majority of those surveyed thought NI cost the UK too much money, and they would be happy to see it reduced or eliminated by it going back with the whole of Ireland.
As to it not being an issue, the Republicans are not going away any time soon, so the question of re-unification will continue long into the future. When the population of Catholic/Irish gets to a tipping point over there, it will be inevitable that a vote will be called. The Loyalists of course will not want it, but how they will react if it passes is another question all together. Hopefully by then they will be disarmed to help avoid any more bloodshed.
The ROI would have a Referendum for the people to vote as well so if the North ever voted yes (which I can't see happening) the ROI would have to vote yes as well. One of the reasons why the people in ROI might not agree to have Northern Ireland would be if there was a significant amount of Loyalists that would cause trouble. People in the Republic just don't want that sort of social unrest.
There are a lot of factors involved. I really think that on both sides of the border most people want stability and jobs. There are Republicans but the vast majority of people don't see it as a priority. People have free movement so there are no barriers going across the border. There is also cooperation on a lot of issues. There are a lot of sporting bodies that are all Ireland like rugby, golf, Gaelic football etc.
northern ireland is by far the least wealthy part of the uk , sure you have free healthcare etc but its not like northern ireland is a thriving economy overall
business in northern ireland greatly value relations with business in the republic of ireland , the border really doesnt exist to anywhere near the same extent when it comes to the economy , the economy of the republic of ireland has improved quite a bit in the past two years and if us voters can resist electing populist politicans who try and bribe us with our own money , we should do well going forward
id love to see the island united and a protestant influence in a country is always welcome , you are often more disciplined when it comes to running things
we could do with some presbyterian rigour and steadfastness
The ROI would have a Referendum for the people to vote as well so if the North ever voted yes (which I can't see happening) the ROI would have to vote yes as well. One of the reasons why the people in ROI might not agree to have Northern Ireland would be if there was a significant amount of Loyalists that would cause trouble. People in the Republic just don't want that sort of social unrest.
There are a lot of factors involved. I really think that on both sides of the border most people want stability and jobs. There are Republicans but the vast majority of people don't see it as a priority. People have free movement so there are no barriers going across the border. There is also cooperation on a lot of issues. There are a lot of sporting bodies that are all Ireland like rugby, golf, Gaelic football etc.
protestants very rarely play gaelic games , not that i care about that , i much prefer soccer myself but soccer fans in northern ireland tend to be quite hostile to the republic of ireland , i imagine most catholics in northern ireland support the republic of ireland soccer team
protestants very rarely play gaelic games , not that i care about that , i much prefer soccer myself but soccer fans in northern ireland tend to be quite hostile to the republic of ireland , i imagine most catholics in northern ireland support the republic of ireland soccer team
It is funny you should mention that because when I went to Croke Park they talked of limited participation of Protestants in Hurling which I found a little odd.
I say that because over here across the pond, people have no attachment to a team based on political, ethnic, or religious affiliation. For instance the Boston Celtics have Irish symbols, but other than a large Irish population in MA, there is never talk of Catholic or Protestants as it relates to the team.
As to Croke Park, I did enjoy greatly the tour I took and gained an appreciation for the game.
It is funny you should mention that because when I went to Croke Park they talked of limited participation of Protestants in Hurling which I found a little odd.
I say that because over here across the pond, people have no attachment to a team based on political, ethnic, or religious affiliation. For instance the Boston Celtics have Irish symbols, but other than a large Irish population in MA, there is never talk of Catholic or Protestants as it relates to the team.
As to Croke Park, I did enjoy greatly the tour I took and gained an appreciation for the game.
I suppose that is because Boston Celtics is just a name. I'm presuming it could possibly have Irish origin ?? but in the US people of all ethnic and religious persuasions could join this team.
In Ireland Gaelic sports like hurling and football are very old Irish games and the Protestants in NI wouldn't consider them part of their heritage. As Summerwhale said they don't consider themselves Irish. You might know the history already.
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