Brexit from an Irish perspective - Dáithí O’Ceallaigh

Recorded at the Pierhead on the 21st February 2018, Dáithí O’Ceallaigh (former Irish Ambassador in London) shares his sobering assessment of Brexit, from an Irish Perspective.
This event was hosted by the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University. Find out more about their research and future events here: sites.cardiff.ac.uk/wgc/
You can follow Wales Governance on Twitter: / walesgovernance

[@peterwilson5528]

An Irish gentleman. “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” Oscar Wilde.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

I'm speaking to you from the future to tell you that brexit is going brilliantly, the UK economy is in free fall with major shortages of goods and labour and its borders remain wide open to smuggling as they simply cannot afford to delay vital supplies, meanwhile companies are fleeing it to Ireland and NI whose economies are booming. Soon Scotland will declare independence as this situation is intolerable to them and as time passes Ireland will be reunited de facto at first and later formally. Statues of Nigel Farage should be erected all over Ireland as the great man who finally freed Ireland from Britain.

[@conor1077]

🤣🤣 brilliant

[@lioneljaftha3473]

Brilliant prophecy. Holding thumbs especially for the reunification of Ireland

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@lioneljaftha3473 👍

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@Mark Spires WTF do you know about the EU? You're probably one of the cretins that googled what is the EU? The day after the referendum. 😂

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@chrisdechristophe Only in your deluded imagination nothing you say has any basis in reality, it's the UK that's disintegrating as I predicted 8 months ago, Russia too has already lost the war.

[@loisstenner123]

Ireland is not a REPUBLIC. Its a vassal area ruled from Brussels. So ! I am assuming the Irish do not mind being overcome by 20 million people from Sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East. I must say this news really does surprise me. It also surprises me , according to the intellectual narrating this video, that its just economics that are of any concern.

[@walterwhite3018]

Irish people are doped up on netflix, gaa, dancing wit the stars etc etc etc.

[@taintabird23]

Your ignorance does not surprise me.

[@intercat4907]

A year and a half later, this is still excellent - and, alas, current. Amazing that we are still hanging in midair waiting for resolution. Best wishes from across the Pond.

[@garylake8654]

Rexit currently is the order of the day, or I should say order of the last three years and three months.

[@rembrandtshadows]

@@garylake8654 very funny! wish their was a button for lmao . . . .

[@MDOY79]

It's such a shame the EU didn't just stop at being a trading zone, I think many could have lived with that, why in order to trade do we need to also be part of this political union that seeks to further empower itself to become an empire.. weakening nations as they do it. The political institutions of the EU have this Facade of democracy with the veto and the parliament, but behind the scenes, the commissioners set the direction, they are appointed not voted. The leaders of the EU hold nation states in contempt, the opinions of the public for them are something to be navigated through not to be adhered to or considered. I fear what the EU might become unchecked, as well as what the good speaker here is saying can happen due to trading problems. The choice for the British people was one of who rules them, who gets to decide the future of the country and policy. Either way you look at it, it's going to be stormy times..

[@rembrandtshadows]

@@MDOY79 I think you miss the point, but thats ok, its rather late in the day. The UK would be much more potent within the EU. The EU will never allow Britain to become the Singapore that BJ wants. I refer to this article. www.france24.com/en/20190918-eu-s-barnier-delivers-stark-warning-on-future-uk-trade-deal. "We are not stupid and we will not kill our own companies. We will defend our own economy and we'll never accept Singapore by the North Sea," he [European Parliament's Brexit coordinator, MEP and former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt] said to cheers and boos from MEPs. Say what you will, the 2016 was a spilt decision and crashing out was never on the ballot. The EU will continue to exist because it, along with NATO, prevents Russian intervention in Europe. Fin!

[@garylake8654]

@@rembrandtshadows Thank you :) Joking aside, my businesses have had well over three years of this Rexit nonsense, its slowly but surely strangling my appetite to invest in the future, I am far from alone in my thoughts, this is no good for the long term future of the UK or by default, the EU

[@agn855]

Very interesting perspective, but why tf they've not recorded the afterwards questioning session??

[@gregleonard1562]

That would have to be episode two. His words need time to sink in. This was too riveting to mish mash with Q&A's. Additionally, the sheer quietness was evidence of a spellbound audience.

[@TheBorderRyker]

Peace and unity to my Irish cousins. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@douglassimes9103]

On terms that suit ALL the Irish.

[@rickjones7329]

There will be no peace for you once Brussels decide they want your woman and children

[@rickjones7329]

@geheimschriver i know that

[@rickjones7329]

@geheimschriver im just saying Brussels should have never hosted Islam and EU should have never got in bed with them IT WAS THE WORST MISTAKE EU EVER MADE then Macron saying hes gonna make an army to take on 🇺🇸 is suicide by EU. I guess they havent learned yet we were the policeman of the world and even when we didnt. Want to be other countrys came to us first now why is that? Maybe because we have the best of everything? Or is others are to chickenshit to take care of their own problems and we always get blammed whether we did right or not

[@rickjones7329]

@geheimschriver London might have well been Brussels pre Borris Johnson

[@paullacey748]

The distinguished gentleman has to remember that Eire has a population of 5 million. That is significant to his argument.

[@taintabird23]

How?

[@paullacey748]

@@taintabird23 Purchasing power and Financial input.

[@blackhole3298]

@@paullacey748 Make no doubt the continent stays with Ireland! So +400 m people!

[@Aindriuh]

Not any more. Both Aldi & Lidl have now built big distribution centres in the Republic.

[@christhornley1664]

Being a member state of the EU has been a God send for the Republic of Ireland.

[@christhornley1664]

@gina george-taylor Don't quite understand your comment, the Republic of Ireland has every intention of remaining in the EU. What is your point?

[@HondoTrailside]

@@christhornley1664 The thing people miss is that the EU of the past is not the EU that will follow. The EU is already selling out ag policies that Ireland benefits from, and there needs to be a common tax policy. If Brexit should happen, Ireland will become a significant net contributor. If the US of E happens Ireland will no longer be sovereign or militarily non-aligned. And then there is the whole monetary catastrophe looming. It may still be the best deal in town, but I don't myself see how. A slightly less pleasant consideration is what Ireland has done with the surplus. A property crash of their own is not all that encouraging.

[@rumples2698]

just wait until you stop getting our money. maybe we can give more to N/I

[@christhornley1664]

@@HondoTrailside Well, if a US of E does happen, will it be much different from a US of A that the UK is so hell bent on getting in bed with? What Brexit has shown, so far, is that the EU will not compromise it's core values for a choice the UK has made, well, primarily England. It has also shown that the EU will defend its member states. If Brexit does happen, it will be damaging to the Republic of Ireland, but the EU will try to mitigate these effects to the best of its ability. Whatever comes or goes, I think it is a better bet to be part of the biggest trading block in the world than to be outside it, especially when it makes geographic sense as well as economic.

[@Macorian]

This is an informed speach. It's not FUD. Sure, have confidence in re-building but also in facing realities. He's an embassador and knows how things work, prepare for the worst, hope for the best. After reading all the comments here, I think England deserves a no deal Brexit.

[@catsandcrafts171]

I was with you up to the last line... there are millions of us in the UK who have campaigned and supported membership of the EU from the start... can we apply for refugee status in Ireland? We don't deserve no-deal brexit UK :(

[@Jotari]

England might deserve a no deal Brexit, but Northern Ireland doesn't.

[@michaelrosenberg2332]

100% no deal is the best thing, England should be praying for it

[@henrybn14ar]

His predictions are correct but he is missing the point. The EU is the problem.

[@Macorian]

@@henrybn14ar The EU that brought for the first time peace, stability and prosperity to the region is the problem? Ok. But only if you hate those things. I think you're missing the wood for the trees.

[@ragnarjohansson8002]

Funny how a small island can produce so many intelligent and well articulated people.

[@ragnarjohansson8002]

James Berry Well I was talking about Ireland and not about the british isles. And as far as Nobel literature laureats, France beats them all and I can think of quite a few swedish authors such as: Selma Lagerlöf, Eyvind Johnson and Pär Lagerkvist.

[@taintabird23]

Calamity James, Ireland has four Nobel Laureates for Literature: Shaw, Yeats, Beckett, Heaney.

[@ragnarjohansson8002]

Taint ABird I’m not sure 100%, but I believe Becket was awarded for his work in french (En attendant Godot).

[@ragnarjohansson8002]

James Berry You mentioned Nobel Laureats in literature with a few factual errors. All the swedish authors I mentioned are Nobel laureats and as far as I know Shakespear and Dickens where not. You can turn it as You like France is the country that has the most Nobel prizes in Literature. But my statement has nothing to do with Alfred or the UK, I was only expressing my delight of encountering quite a few very intelligent and well articulated irish personalities recently.

[@taintabird23]

Possibly, he lived in France and died there i believe.

[@willneverforgets3341]

Respect for Ireland!

[@Bengun67]

( Makes me feel like crying a waterfall ) - I truly hope and pray that peace will always flourish in Ireland

[@SimonCowie86]

Bengun67 It will with a boarder poll & the DUP can’t stop it cause they have less seats in the UK Goverment compared to nastiness seats

[@magicmechanic]

Is there another part to this with questions and answers?

[@davidmccabe4041]

I am an 83 year old Irishman. What a masterful presentation, 4 years ago, wonderful slow methodical delivery, I could listen to him for hours. The problems of the NI border remain....the only solution is down the Irish sea....so that ni has the benefit of being the ONLY area with duty free access to both the EU and the UK....thereby enabling NI to become a boom economy. David McCabe dublin

[@paulwood6729]

You need to read The Belfast Agreement.

[@amandal8822]

You're delusional, age is supposed to bring wisdom but unfortunately you didn't receive the memo.

[@paulduffy4585]

What seems to be missed in much of these discussions is that the border wasn't a by-product of the conflict, it was the driving force behind it.

[@paulduffy4585]

@@chrisdechristophe maybe i worded it badly. The existence of the border was a major factor of the troubles.

[@taintabird23]

I would have loved to have heard the questions to the speaker.

[@alanhat3258]

+harryrambler I'm sorry, I don't see any reference to the lecture at all in your link, the question remains open -- where is the Q+A?

[@germanogirardelli]

@MrKingdig "They suck on that globalist tittie like its mothers milk. " Now you are 1000% sure of that, have seen data supporting that, know what a globalist (?) is, and therefore feel comfortable writing it. Oddly enough your thought process is that of a baby, just like the ones who actually feed on breastmilk

[@btpennycook]

A recent poll of conservatives shows they would be willing to abandon Northern Ireland and by a larger amount to abandon Scotland just to get Brexit through as both Northern Ireland and Scotland voted to remain in the EU this is English nationalism gone mad

[@gerardvaughan1847]

@MrKingdig So you think this man is a Globalist ? I voted "leave", I'm totally anti globalist, which had a lot to do with that, but this guy isn't a fkg globalist for God's sake ! That's why I've turned around. Although EU still sanctions Syria, yet tries to help Iran. "It's a mixed up muddled up, shook up world, as The Kinks noticed way back in the Day.

[@gerardvaughan1847]

@MrKingdig Not "therefore" at all ! He believes in the EU, and says exactly why, and it makes perfect sense. I don't denigh it's a dodgy entity, hence my "leave" vote, but globalists are something sinister, and criminal. They are a threat to us by infiltrating the EU. Problem is All Rothschild Bankers are Globalists, so what can be done about that ? At present the EU goes along with helping to destroy Syria (so I voted leave) yet it tries to find a way for Iran to avoid Washington's monetary embargo. So it's kind of half+half. As for Donald Trump using a spanner ?! That's laughable ! Do tell me more about this 5 dimensional mechanic !

[@KDoc1951]

It's wonderful to listen to someone who knows what they're talking about, unlike many of the politicians who are pro Brexit.

[@erikzoe1]

True, although I think most of the BS we hear from the pro-brexit mob is deliberate lies and deceitful manipulation rather than genuinely not knowing what they are talking about.

[@gerardvaughan1847]

@@erikzoe1 Also they see the EU, if not as "globalism'" itself, as a globalists wet dream. It Is a danger, and is influenced by them in sanctioning Syria, and supporting terrorism there. On the other had it has tried to help Iran bust US Sanctions.

[@bchristian79]

What is the name of the book Oliver wrote?

[@covfefe5156]

Look at the opportunity for Ireland to replace the UK businesses. The advantage for Irish businesses will be that no longer will there be competition from the UK. Products that now come from UK can be produced in Ireland and sold in the EU. Ireland has the opportunity to replace the UK in the world. Hopefully, the Irish can come to realize all the Irish are brothers and sisters, even with those of us with Irish heritage in America.

[@arthurlewis9193]

Yeah! Wonder why no-one decided to do that before actually.

[@eboydens]

well, if anyone interested is reading .. I am Belgian expat living in Ireland since 10yrs and open to take consulting projects with Irish companies looking to Benelux/FR market. Expertise in many domains. Send me a message if interested.

[@1981MJD]

Except the Sharks from all over the EU will be hoping to do the same, hoping to increase their market share. There is no guarantee the companies that replace UK ones will be Irish. (Probably not infact)

[@eboydens]

@@1981MJD "Sharks " from the EU, or vulture funds from the US ? which do you prefer ? Belgium eg is a land with many SME's. They are not sharks. Their employees even have better protection in many ways than Irish employees. Don't talk slogans … but research a bit.

[@1981MJD]

@@eboydens Don't give me a lot of whataboutery and then tell me to research a bit. What I said is true.

[@taintabird23]

The comments section of this video was quiet for months. Then there was sudden interest in the Irish perspective by Brexiters, who were discovering that the little country they had no respect for blocking their path to self-inflicted mediocrity.

[@wecandothiswarriors]

Ey they need us more than we need them

[@devonseamoor]

Oh, now that the grapes are sour you simply blame others for force-feeding them? Get real, please. Sort out your priorities, Ireland leaves the EU, simple.

[@taintabird23]

Its the other way round Marian, the UK is trying to blame Ireland for the incoherence of Brexit. Ireland has set out its priorities very clearly: Ireland is not leaving the EU or the Customs Union because of a flawed vote in a foreign country. Brexiters need to know the UKs place.

[@taintabird23]

@ Juliette It seem fairly evident to me that the EU has decided it needs the integrity of the Single Market and Customs Union maintained more that it needs the UK, its money, its market or its hubris.

[@devonseamoor]

@@taintabird23 Thank you for correcting my rather irritating comment.

[@rob5944]

I think it's time we ALL considered each others needs and points of view, instead of hurling abuse and insults at each other. Let us learn from the past, not relive it over and over. That sort of thinking only generates hate and resentment that can surely only be self destructive. Compromise and understanding are the only productive and fruitful ways forward, for the benefit of everyone.

[@yammychops]

yeah i agree the eu is corrupt....

[@rob5944]

@@yammychops Perhaps, it's all a very complicated thing, we not in the know really are we?

[@johnhaycock1269]

I agree and agree the EU is corrupt and we all need to understand itis a dictatorship

[@42littlet]

@@johnhaycock1269 I agree! The EU is governed by elected MEPs from all member states in a proportional way. grrrrrr, makes my blood boil thinking about all that democracy.

[@philippayne4951]

I agree, but what do you expect from the people if a national Democratic vote in 2016 has not been implemented. These MPS have time and time again, blocked the vote of the people of the united kingdom, who voted to leave. These remain MPS carry on by divine right as if they can take control, by imposing their will on the united kingdom. Although many people voted to remain, in all parts of the united kingdom, they lost the vote, and must respect the national will of the people. This vote must and will be implemented, one way or the other as its the will of the united kingdom, and if not will lead to series anarchy in the united kingdom. It does not matter what you, or any one else thinks, its what the will of the people of united kingdom wanted, and that is to leave the EU.

[@flybobbie1449]

So why can't folic acid be added once the flour arrives in Ireland.

[@kieransavage3835]

Cost.

[@calorus]

WHERE IS THE Q&A?

[@cardiffuniversity]

Unfortunately we don’t have consent from the audience members to publish the Q & A session

[@fluoridefree]

@@cardiffuniversity you should have got their consent prior to asking questions.

[@raws944]

Good luck to you Ireland, what a mess half of us Brits seem to have started. Contrary to how the politicians here may act, many of us love Ireland and worry for the state of your country as well as ours. I'm sad that the United Kingdom seems to be falling apart in front of our eyes

[@MisterPeterColeman]

very nice to hear that. Thanks Raws.

[@kevins.3615]

Ireland's economy is built on Sand. Totally dependent on the foreigners

[@wonbadood8243]

Raws Thanks, but were fkd economically. We agreed to take it up the a.... The next recession could totally sink us. Like the last wallop we got, we wont see this one coming either. We're Serfs already and can't see it

[@gomey70]

Thank you.

[@gomey70]

Sand is what you have for a brain.@@kevins.3615

[@lucilovecraft1621]

I'm Scottish I have 3 Irish grandparents, I'm seriously considering moving to Ireland if Scotland can't get out of Brexit.

[@sarahclare7746]

Go for Scotish independence! !

[@irishfornphetireland9971]

Why leave and end up being a slave to the totalitarian EU

[@davediesel90]

You'd be quite welcome, you seem sensible enough knowing something's amiss if it works out that way

[@alexp3752]

You should learn about Ireland 2040 and the plan to import massive numbers of Africans in short order.. Watch the hour long video by Stefan Molyneaux on You-Tube. Don't eat dinner beforehand, as you will not be able to keep it down!

[@devonseamoor]

You mean if Scotland can't get out of the EU I assume?

[@Pibrac42]

When is a cow not a cow, there is always a get around if the people want to, I would have liked more context on the solutions before the solutions are imposed

[@lunawhitewolf1733]

I am British ,was proud to be once but not no more because of our Government that seam to not think about what is going to-be damaging the children growing up in Northern Ireland this conflicting Brexit world will most surely damage there peace don’t you think Northern Ireland as been through as much as it can take please keep Brexit out and The borders open and free 🦋

[@jeansouthworth5880]

luna wolf Boris is not closing the border. He wants it to remain open. Checks can be done elsewhere, even in France. This is in the EUs hands but they are refusing to get rid of the Backstop which will tie the UK into the courts of the EU. We cannot accept this. There is a video of the unelected eurocrats drinking wine and laughing at how they are causing the UK to be forced to stay in the EU for another 3 years and then another 3 years. This is who runs the EU. Overpaid untrustworthy twits. The UK has to leave to survive. You have been forced to stay in. I hope it’s not going to happen to us.

[@rickjones7329]

Keeping open borders only invites Radical Islam in. Now ive watched Christians being beheaded in the middle east. You really think Islam gives a dam about you or your people? Go ahead stay in the EU and once your leader doesnt do the bidding of your Brussels masters who do you think will come to set you in line? It wont be a friendly person from the EU nono it will be radical Islamists cutting your husband head off while you and your children have to watch. Then they will rape you and your kids till your dead. Im not trying to scare you i seen the limits radical islam will go and there is non. Brussels is the seat for radical Islam. You either submit and be forced to worship Allah or die thats your only 2 options they will destroy you after you and your kids hopefully survive your being gang raped by a whole army jihadis and that will be your future

[@oliveangus5568]

What a wonderful speaker. Have listened to his every word and actually understood them. Not a bit like these "holier than thou"speakers. He deserves a lot of respect, in fact I'm of the thought that Britain should hand Northern Ireland back and a lot of problems would be solved. As the saying goes " United they stand divided they fall"

[@istvanglock7445]

I'm sure Britain would be delighted to hand Northern Ireland back (and the speaker implied as much). Unfortunately, there's this whole business of consent, and until a majority of Northern Ireland's population want it, it's not going to happen. The demographics are heading in that direction though.

[@twomicefighting]

Hi Olive, I live in Dublin and I dont want them mad bastards from the North to be part of Ireland. You made them, you keep them. You can keep paying for their artificial job factory called The Civil Service. You pay for the police to stop them killing and maiming each other. Take a thing you cant give it back.

[@rembrandtshadows]

@@twomicefighting lmao . . . .a very salient, shall I say even SHARP, point?

[@philippayne4951]

What the hell for, its part of the united kingdom.

[@eibhlinni3598]

I’m from Ireland and can’t see a problem just let Northern Ireland stay in Europe if they want...yet apart from the Ireland ,,what’s the problem..

[@denisdaly1708]

It's too small to be a viable country.

[@russcattell955i]

@@denisdaly1708 Just like Luxembourg or Andorra ?

[@quenguin2178]

They can't let Ireland stay in just as they can't let us in Scotland stay in. As far as England is concerned we had a UK wide vote and the UK as a whole voted to stay. They knew what this would create, they had to have known. In Scotland we were told "Vote no to stay in the EU", We are now Leaving the EU. "Vote no to protect your pension", we are now working till we die. "Vote no for a better Parliament", they took powers from Hollyrood and they are taking our powers back from the EU and not giving them to Hollyrood. The Irish issue is tough because they have to have regulatory allignment, Northern Irish people are Brittish and Irish, if we leave the EU we will have to have some kind of border to make sure goods that do not meet EU regs don't get from NI to the Republic then on to the rest of Europe

[@quenguin2178]

Westminster is an English Parliament. They can outvote Scotland, Ireland and Wales on any issue they want

[@eibhlinni3598]

Northern Ireland =UK Ireland =Ireland as in different country has its own Dail= parliament sorry to be picky but drives me bonkers

[@nedhappened3085]

Would love an update.

[@taintabird23]

Imports of flour from the UK are down 25%, overall imports from the UK to Ireland are down 72% during the first half of 2021, and Ireland now has a trade surplus with the UK. A new mill for flour has been built in Ireland creating around 20 jobs, providing flour for Irish bakers. New direct ferry routes from Ireland to the UK now mean that Irish traders can avoid the UK landbridge. Crucially, the border in Ireland remains open.

[@gloin10]

It is interesting coming back to this presentation in 2022, as the devastating effects of the Brixit clusterfuck unfold in their full glory. I am very happy to report that the predicted effects of Brixit on Ireland did not happen. Both our GDP, and the GDP of Northern Ireland(NI), have soared. The Irish agri-food sector has quite quickly moved to occupy the EU market niches previously held by the British agricultural sector. Those markets are, conservatively, worth TWICE Ireland's agri-food market in the UK. The cycle whereby Irish raw materials were sent to the UK, processed with most of the added value there, then sent back to Ireland as sandwiches and other prepared foods, has largely ended. Supply chains on the entire island of Ireland have switched, very quickly and smoothly, to all-island trade and trade with the wider EU, thanks to the NI Protocol(NIP) and the amazing flexibility of businesses in both polities on this island.

[@andresvillarreal9271]

The customs arrangement is quite simple: you do whatever the brexiteers want, then promise that a technological solution is right around the corner, then wait about ten years to have a technological solution, while the problem solves itself with Northern Ireland separating from Ireland completely, or separating from Britain completely or getting engulfed into a new war. I can say it because it falls within my area of expertise. Any technological solution to that border will be a lot easier to cheat than to uphold. Anyone who is promising that this is a problem with a viable solution is simply lying.

[@devonseamoor]

Ireland will have a chance to unite North and South and become one Ireland. When religious fanatics and those who live in the angry past let go of dogma and see the benefit of joining hands, separate from the UK. Where drama rules.

[@davediesel90]

@@michaelcostello6019 indeed it would and it would bring it own challenges. personally I dont know if theres an appetite for taking Northern Ireland onboard. I have personally and regularly seen a distinct division between "nordies" and locals whenever a group arrive locally, regardless of their political or cultural leanings. We really have very different outlooks I find but we have more in common than what divides us.

[@davediesel90]

@@michaelcostello6019 very well put

[@philippayne4951]

But that is just the whole point. We do not want a border, and the EU do not want a border, yet the EU is using this stupid argument when their is not one, to try and stop us leaving, along with remainers. All we were saying, an Electronic system could be used. But nobody wants or needs it. Its just the EU, being bloody minded.

[@davediesel90]

@@philippayne4951 where is this fabled electronic system? And no one outside the UK wants the UK at this stage, its toxic and bordering on a rogue state. Already threatening to renege on the monies due from previous agreements and then going preaching about trade deals which are agreements they are just as likely to breach. Zero credibility or trustworthiness ensues. What they want is a system that wont affect all ireland trade or endanger the gfa. Its ironic that the irish govt had the well-being of the north in mind and the integrity of the gfa in mind from the outset when it wasn't mentioned in a single debate in Britain. The DUP never even wanted the gfa !!!!! When you have a unionist dominated group like the Ulster Farmers Union calling for eu membership over union with the UK theres significant amount of worry on their part. The best solution is for england to leave the UK, and the European union problem solved. Good riddance

Excellent presentation. More food for thought for the thoughtless.

[@yammychops]

he speaks with the same veiled threats that all southern ireland marxist bigots do

[@janglymark4006]

can someone upload this with sound?

[@taintabird23]

Sound is working for me. Did you check your volume?

[@garysymons410]

I am from Australia and only 10 minutes into the talk found it difficult to understand why your GDP would fall by 8% , why would the EU make it difficult for Ireland to export to the UK and why would Ire put up with it , You must explain to us folk ignorant of the EU .

[@taintabird23]

It is because the UK intends to leave the Customs Union and the Single Market. The UK will become a third country to Ireland - like Australia is. Ireland is suffer a great deal from this situation. However, EU membership and access to EU markets is worth far more to the Irish economy than losing to the UK market, so leaving, even if the Irish wanted to, is not an option. Plus there is the problem of the land border in Ireland and how it impacts the Good Friday Agreement. It is all very complicated.

[@memisemyself]

Gary Symons; If the UK leaves the single market and customs union, a trade agreement will probably be reached between them and the EU. The negotiations, however, can not start until after they leave. In most other cases these negotiations took up to ten years and in a few even more. In the meantime, Irish goods going into the UK and UK goods coming into Ireland will have a tariff of 30% applied. If the same rules aren't applied to manufacture, packaging, etc. that will add to the problem. Trade between the two countries will suffer. Along with that, about 75% of all journeys out of Ireland either pass through or terminate in the UK. This will also be affected. For example, exports to Europe travel by ferry to the UK, pass through by road and use UK ferries for the final leg to the continent. They will go through two customs checks if this were to continue, with related tariffs and other costs. The direct route to France is more expensive at present but because it requires a 20 hour ferry trip it is also less attractive due to the risk of damage and delays from regular storms. These two factors alone will cause major damage to our economy and will also have negative cultural and social effects. UK citizens are the biggest ethnic minority in Ireland and the Irish are one of the biggest, if not the biggest, in the UK. The ties between the two countries are far more than economic and all will be damages by Brexit. Overall, Ireland could lose more from Brexit than the UK.

[@kangaroo1888]

Read bit more Ireland, is part of the Eu so work within EU rules regulations

[@philippayne4951]

Its because Southern Ireland is Republic. Northern Ireland is part of the united kingdom. Well,. The rules are different, when the UK leave Southern Ireland will be still in the EU, and trade in the EU, but Northern Ireland will be able trade with the rest of the world along with the rest of the UK.

[@vernonsmith1669]

this man does for once talk the truth

[@irishfornphetireland9971]

Yes its his bias views of the country i have lived in for 58 years he is part of the privileged elites of Ireland

[@cannaroe1213]

@@irishfornphetireland9971 Are you Irish David? He said very few Irish want the UK to leave the EU, and even fewer want Eire to leave. Is that true?

[@FPSIreland2]

canna roe Éireannach anseo. The majority opinion in Ireland (regarding the EU) is quite similar to what Dáithí said

[@gloin10]

@@irishfornphetireland9971 "Yes its his bias views of the country..." You are trying to invent something which does NOT exist. Red-C does a regular national poll regarding Irish attitudes towards EU membership. There has NEVER been a Red-C poll showing less than 60% support for that EU membership. At times during the Brixit bullshit, that figure reached 93% in favour. The Irish people are probably the most enthusiastically pro-EU population in the EU. They always have been, since they voted by an overwhelming majority in a national referendum to approve Irish accession to the EEC back in 1972. Whether Dáithí O’Ceallaigh "...is part of the privileged elites of Ireland", or not, is irrelevant. Whether there is any such thing as "...the privileged elites of Ireland" is a matter for discussion. I do know that social mobility is far higher in Ireland than it is in the UK...

[@Jimmy2times90]

Very good speech.

[@mossy1s]

Aw no q&a part two?

[@gerardvaughan1847]

I'm in complete agreement with this man. But I voted "leave". I hope there is a second referendum now that we have all had time to get a bit clued-up.

[@taintabird23]

There won't be a second referendum because the Leavers know they will not win it again.

[@NoFaithNoPain]

I doubt you are telling the truth. You never voted leave. This man needs to grow up and change with the new reality instead of moaning about poor old Ireland. Ireland has sucked off the teat of the EU to drag itself out of the swamp, but perhaps now it has to change again, which I am sure it will

[@gerardvaughan1847]

@@NoFaithNoPain I voted by proxy via my sister. She voted remain, do I doubt my vote was counted. Hearing this guy I just fall into the Channel, because you can't have open boarders, and an NHS. Sad but true. This guy points to so much to to reorganize somehow. We are between the Devil and the Deep blue Sea. I don't expect Eire to be leaving any time soon, so that boarder is a time bomb.

[@jakestewart5812]

Wonderful analysis of a human problem forget the politics which gets in the way, thank you for this.

[@bamlani]

If there one thing that may change my mind about Brexit is this video. If You have to watch whole video to appreciate the depth of the problem. I am a strong brexiter for last many years. I am having second thought after watching this video.

[@audience2]

He is right when he says Ireland has become a much better country in the last 40 years. EEC, EC, and finally EU membership was a major factor in separating the Roman Catholic church from the Irish state. Ireland has also gained access to European markets. He is completely unreasonable to think that the Northern Ireland situation would make Brexiters shelve their ambition to leave Europe.

[@ernestrogen4639]

There is no problem in Northern Ireland unless the EU make one.

[@eamonnwright5557]

audience2 yeah , now you are free to kill all the babies you want

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

I think Ireland should give itself a lot more credit for the changes it has made over the years instead of giving it all to the E.U.

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

Would the 13 billion euros given to the irish government from apple have made a difference perhaps.

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

How do you think they did it.

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

do you think perhaps if what you say is correct its in preparedness for the U.K leaving the E.U and somehow this protects Irelands economy from exposure.

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

yes I agree Irelands geographical location unfortunately exposes them along with the U.K if there is a bad deal.

[@alanharvey9094]

@J San....You are right that Ireland has huge debt ... Ireland is the proud owner of the highest debt per capita of any country in Europe according to this link. www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/10/this-is-how-much-debt-your-country-has-per-person/ This stands today at around 43,700 euros owed by every person in Ireland. www.nationaldebtclocks .org/debtclock/ireland Many people seem to have been misled by a false GDP figure for Ireland which reflects sales recorded in Ireland by the many multinational companies which are based there because of the low corporate tax rate. For example, every single item which Apple sells anywhere in the world is recorded in Ireland - that money doesn't belong to Ireland - but it is reflected in Ireland's GDP figure thus giving a false impression of apparent wealth. People need to look at the debt per capita.

[@bobbysands9071]

A minority of irish people now. Note he says the " political Class" will stay in. I fully supported the EU until the Lisbon treaty and i saw how the elites had no regard for democracy.

[@taintabird23]

What, you mean you didn't like they way they found out why the Irish voted no, and got protocols inserted into the treaty in answer to the Irish concerns? What an attack on democracy that is.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@ Bobby Sands, The EU was okay when it was the Common Market. But it has gone too far!

[@he1ar1]

@@here_we_go_again2571 If the common market was fine, then why then does the uk prime minister not want to remain in the customs union? obvious the people who want to leave would not like being in the common market either

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@@he1ar1 The pro-Brexit crowd object to the increasing power of the EU over the member states. They do not want to belong to the United States of Europe (or as I call it, the EUSSR) A customs union (trade agreement) is not the same as submitting one's nation to the whims of the EU Commission. That makes the rule about borders, what size veggies are to be sold and is now acquiring its own EU military. The EU military FORCE a country's citizens to serve in the said, EU military, *under the* *command of people from other nations.* Members of the UK military currently VOLUNTEER to serve as UN peacekeepers and on NATO missions. It is not imposed upon them by their own government or by *a supranational organization that has* *sovereignty over the people of the UK.*

[@frankday1234]

The 'Elites ' must think we have no memory.

[@johnnicolson467]

This is a turning point for Britain it won't be called the United Kingdom anymore as Scotland will soon be Independent, N Ireland will soon join Ireland so Wales and England will have to be called rUK (rest of the UK) or little Britain.

[@johnnicolson467]

Who will be first to leave the UK Scotland or N Ireland?

[@abercass4683]

Ireland pays EU 1.7b and receives 1.6b, the UK pays 14.1b and receives 7b. Perhaps that makes a difference.

[@johnconlon2207]

Trade is the main benefit

[@hansbreslau8119]

You will never understand what solidarity means. Btw: the UK got a big rebate on their contributions, which made them a second class member from the beginning. I will never understand why this was allowed.

[@Dear_Mr._Isaiah_Deringer]

That isn't much different from other countries in the EU. The remarkable part is how politicians in the UK were able to paint the EU as socialist and libertarian nightmare at the same time - first class doublethink.

[@DaxRaider]

@aber that fake argument brought you to this place ... you get so much benefits and ignore all of them britain basicly had the best deal of all countries in the EU had an extra deal for everything ... you will lose more then you gain but only looking at 1 number ... damn to much incest i guess to think

[@Henry-vu5sg]

@@hansbreslau8119 I can tell you why. The Germans got a huge benefit by rigging the euro exchange rate in their favour leading to billions in extra trade. The French screw the CAP leading to billions in unearned subsidy. Britain propped everyone else up for years along with Germany and it was recognised they were not getting value for their massive contribution hence the rebate was negotiated. Ps Tony Blair gave much of it away in return for a promise that cap would be reformed. Needless to say the EU and French broke that promise. No wonder we don't trust the eu. Peace to all the ordinary people of Europe and down with the corrupt eu.

[@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl]

It's not just the export / import, it's the interconnections between countries/firms. Everyone benefits from the other and shares the tasks, such as research and development. To disassociate everything will be disastrous for many, especially small companies. We live in an ever closer together world. Europe/EU must oppose the supremacy of the US and China in all what matters. The future can only be successful if we work together. If a state believes that it can cope with this alone, that is a deadly error. There are already many trading and cooperation blocks today and that has a reason!

[@NLTops]

Indeed. They are strong economic blocks that can protect their inner market in a hyperconnected global economy.

[@rickjones7329]

Did you not hear what Macron said? He wants an EU army to take on big countries. So he already had ill intent toward America to begin with. We arent the gd boogy men you europeans might think we are.We arent the most prosperous country for nothing. Obviously we are doing something right eh? So you think Brussels the seat of Raducal Islam is your best hope over America? Dude your in for a rude awakening when the EU forces your people to attack America. And it will be your last as well. And as American i dont want that to happen EVER but if you come aftervus thru Brussels you will leave us no choice might want to be on the winning side or be damned for your people to be slaves to Islam

[@rickjones7329]

@@NLTops well that makes me feel a little better but my concerns is for your future anyhow i just care about others and have seen the video of the Imam calling for global jihad its not fake i watched it and warned Sweden through a video of the first boat arriving. I said rhey should send them back they want to make wives out of yoyr people and rape them out if existence. Well look at Sweden now no one believed me. Just like your doing now

[@rickjones7329]

@@NLTops well i hope all it is is a trade deal but America protects her interest at all times

[@helenowens7775]

Very informative speech. It’s a pity that the Q&A session has been omitted

[@Ubu987]

I suspect that any Q&A session was not convenient for the narrative.

[@henrybn14ar]

Except that the speaker has missed the point.

[@philippayne4951]

Yes he more the likely got booed and heckled so that is why you did not hear it.

[@michaelsullivan1052]

@@henrybn14ar What point did he miss?

[@delboy1978uk]

wheres te q&a?! *clicks channel link*

[@cardiffuniversity]

Thanks for the question. We didn’t have consent from the audience to publish the Q & A.

[@taintabird23]

@@cardiffuniversity What a pity. I bet it was interesting.

[@Areflection4]

An excellent discussion, makes a lot of sense but it is a depressing scenario.

[@Adam-jx2il]

I envy the Irish and their view of the world. Not bound by the irrational delusions of grandeur that Britain has. They get Europe and why such a block makes sense.

[@farmerned6]

Bullshit- Eire joined and grew fat on the EU's gold for Decades, they are happy to be ruled by 27 Un elected commissioners - the UK isn't, but then the UK fought and Bled for Europe and KNOWS the cost of its freedom , While Eire was happy to tacitly aid the Nazi's the EU gives Eire a seat at the world table the UK can get its own without the EU delusions of grandeur?( like the French/Spanish/Italians?) - our horizons aren't Limited to the backyard that is Europe, a mere 500 million in a world of 7.5 Billion

[@mysticpizza02]

Yes Ireland has most definitely benefited from the EU UK hasn't, we are paying for the improvement of other countries!

[@porcupineinapettingzoo]

Farmer ned 6 some examples of Ireland tacitly helping the nazis please!

[@mandybaldwin1673]

They were one of only 3 nations to maintain diplomatic relations with them.

[@porcupineinapettingzoo]

Mandy Baldwin, they were neutral, why wouldn't they maintain diplomatic relations with them, isn't that why we get peace negotiations in places like Switzerland. Btw German communication devices were removed from the German embassy on the insistence of US and UK governments, which showed no respect for said neutrality nor diplomatic norms and kinda showed who the Irish government favoured, doesn't it?

[@chrisdechristophe]

I see no reason why the uk should be the slightest bit bothered by what the Irish think

[@robertomeara3469]

Because of trade ya numpty and the loss of jobs and money.

[@ypanso]

10:04- he said it.

[@janglymark4006]

no sound :(

[@johngray2000]

We have already voted for brexit what is this man talking about ?

[@gomey70]

Go back to sleep. Everything's grand.

[@richwilliam3378]

Ah, but you voted the wrong way you see. We know best, you didn't know what you were doing, you shouldn't have been allowed to vote anyway and Putin made you do it. No here's another ballot paper - get it right this time.

[@saatee100]

It might be a problem but one which can be resolved. Some of the arithmatic does not add up. Don't be afraid, Ireland has always been headstrong but also strong!

[@johnanthonygray5425]

Its not about being headstrong or strong. Its about shaking your head, man up and pay your way.

[@florianmeier3186]

Wow, what an ending. Before asking anything I would need a break.

[@MrBoreray]

The biggest problem for Eire I think will be the transportation of goods,going from EU through non-EU and back into EU again with the subsequent border checks,the only way I can see to avoid this,is a direct link from Eire to northern France.

[@taintabird23]

There are plans to export the ports at Dublin, Rosslare and Cork.

[@robertomeara3469]

You mean Ireland.We simply rerouted shipping.

[@markofsaltburn]

Two years later, the problem was solved by new cross-channel connections, with the added benefit of a UK/IRL trade defect flip and NI/IRL economic reunification.

[@RobertHearn-hu2br]

What a great Irishman speaking clearly with facts and no drama like English politicians, Thankyou Sir. But let's make Ireland a complete Country. Like France, Spain, Germany , Norway etc.

[@secallen]

One way to make Ireland complete is to reintegrate into the UK. We share the same language and culture anyway. Religion is not the stumbling block it was. If Ireland joins the UK - retaining lots of independent freedoms - then we remove the Unionist/Republican stumbling block. Yes, it will take a few more generations before this happens but that is the direction we are heading in.

[@michaelcostello6019]

@@secallen That worked out well before, look how Ireland prospered after the act of union in 1801, and how fondly we remember it .

[@secallen]

@@michaelcostello6019 Maybe if we spent less time savouring the bitterness of the past and more on the great opportunities of the present and future, we might get on a bit better. Those old days are gone forever. Let's not let them define us.

[@michaelcostello6019]

@@secallen There was nothing savoury about it. But look can you tell me a time when being ruled from London worked out well for Ireland? Why would anyone think it would be a good thing now? Besides the fact that no-one wants it, look at the shit-storm in England as it tears itself apart. Look, we're not talking about ancient history here, when I was a kid there was mass emigration from Ireland because there was no work here. I don't think English people who variously say 'what I don't understand about Ireland...' and 'why don't Ireland join the UK' get that. We were a dirt poor third world country for centuries under British rule and it took the guts of a century, in to my lifetime to turn ourselves in to a first world country. It's not perfect but there's near full employment in Ireland in the 21st century, people don't have to emigrate, and the GDP per capita is higher than the UK!

[@Jotari]

Religion was never the stumbling block. Religion just became the face of a deeper social divide that existed before.

[@A2Z1Two3]

You want the UK to supply flour with folic acid in it , have you asked ? You ARE the consumer after all .

[@taintabird23]

Asked? They already supply it. After Brexit it will be harder to get - in fact Ireland will starting sourcing its flour from France after Brexit.

[@mitchyoung8791]

And they are both currently in the EU...so how is EU membership helping with this issue...I wouldn't be surprised if EU regs are actually preventing the addition of folic acid to food.

[@taintabird23]

@@mitchyoung8791 Well, that's obviously because you are a gullible Brexiter.

[@taintabird23]

@Neal Murfitt Except he is not a 'remoaner'. Brexit is highlighting the democratic deficit in the UK and the extent to which it has been displaced onto the EU.

[@twomicefighting]

@@mitchyoung8791 Translation for "I wouldn't be surprised if..." ; I have done zero research and haven't a clue but I'll throw this out anyway.

[@EASYTIGER10]

Brexit position: "We want to put up barriers between the UK and the EU except a small section of the border where there cannot be barriers between the UK and EU" That's incompatible.

[@TsarApe]

So currently you make sandwiches by shipping the ingredients to the UK, having them made for you there, and then shipping the completed sandwich back. That sounds like an environmentally friendly system to defend.

[@penguinbloopers]

I was thinking that too, but in a less serious way. As for the environment. It is very likely that the companies in question who organised these logistics have found the most efficient method, taking into account the locations of their transport hubs.

[@eibhlin5940]

It's actually refreshing to get an honest view on what's ACTUALLY taking place behind the scenes !!

[@mandybaldwin1673]

It certainly is, but you won't get it from that grovelling old Remainer fool. The EU is based on the Europäischenwirtschaftsgemeinschaft (European Economic Community) which was the post-war plan made by the 3rd Reich in l942 as a contingency should they fail to subdue Europe militarily. The architect of the European Commission as a system of government, was Walter Hallstein, who was a young Nazi lawyer and personal protege of Hitler's. He drafted the 'blood and honour' codes of the Nuremberg Laws which designated so many as "untermenchen" (sub-human) and consigned millions to the gas chambers. He became the first president of the European Commission. Gina Miller, who is desperately trying to bring down all European democracy by keeping us in the EU, is bankrolled, along with her husband, by George Soros, who was a Capo, who delivered his own people to the Gestapo, and built the beginnings of his fortune on what he stole from his victims. What part of this don't you understand? "Europe's nations should be guided toward the superstate without their peoples understanding what is happening. This can be accomplished through successive steps, each disguised as having an economic purpose, which will eventually, and irreversibly, lead to federation" Jean Monnet, Founding Father of the EU.

[@gloin10]

@@mandybaldwin1673 Sad, paranoid bollocks!

[@mururoa7024]

So here we are, a year and a half later with the final deadline looming and a turd the size of England is about to really hit a giant fan.

[@martynd9054]

Blame your own government first for believing in the eu. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJitdKKondilbJY

[@ralphthethang3907]

@Ken Shabby Missed your meds? You do realist that the UK exports 47% of its total exports to the EU, the biggest single market on the planet? In addition, it gets the second largest grant, behind Germany, of expenditure on research, development and innovation in the EU. Then again, Germany contributes almost double financially what the UK does to the EU. Per capita contribution into the EU, the UK is fifth on the list (behind Netherlands - Sweden - Germany - Denmark), so the UK is less productive but gets more from the EU - almost looks as if the UK is a bit of a benefits moocher! Something else you may have missed with your reductive analysis is "The average UK-based migrant from Europe contributed approximately £2,300 more to UK public finances in 2016/17 than the average UK adult." (Oxford Economics "THE FISCAL IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON THE UK")

[@boudecia22]

@Marilena Ganea well be glad to. 😊

[@boudecia22]

@@ralphthethang3907 grant? GRANT?!!! ITS NOT A GIFT!!! ITS OUR MONEY!!!! and if we are such a benefits moocher then you'll be happy to see us go? No? Why are you even here? Make your mind up! For a nation that's so insignificant, that contributes so little to the world, that's a"turd" you are making a LOT OF NOISE ABOUT IT! Just get on with YOUR LIFE AND YOUR BUSINESS and let US GET ON WITH OURS! THATS ALL WE WANT. we want no dodgy scabby deal with strings attached. We want NOTHING. We just want to leave. Now- tell me... how and in what bloody parallel fascist universe is this a crime? Its OUR NATION, OUR CASH.. we should be able to take it wherever the Hell we want to! You may think we live in a world where we DONT get to choose.... well.... heres news for you then! How would you feel if you told your supermarket you were going shopping elsewhere and they said "oh no you dont, you owe us 30 grand for all the offers and discounts weve given you over the years?" Youd tell them where to shove it because its YOUR MONEY.YOUR CHOICE. Get used to it its NOT going to change.

[@boudecia22]

@Marilena Ganea if you lot could stop screeching like harpies about it for 5 minutes maybe we WOULD! Just shut your pie hole and well be out of your hair in no time.

[@stephenarcher8929]

Would a re-united Ireland be compensation for brexit?

[@tacobell6826]

Better for the republic to rejoin the UK. Then we can all go down together. 😀

[@nigelmurphy6761]

@@tacobell6826 no thanks you guys are on your own on this one.

[@tacobell6826]

@@nigelmurphy6761 Don't blame you. We couldn't get Nigeria to join this fuckin' place now.

[@NLTops]

@@tacobell6826 I realize you were speaking in jest, but I always laugh when Brexiteers actually propose this. As if any former holding of the British Empire feels like reneging on their independence.

[@tacobell6826]

@@NLTops There's just one 'g' in renege.

[@johnhume4346]

The North voted remain, would it be so difficult for the north to seek unification with the republic and become a united Ireland with citizens of the north retaining dual citizenship of Eire and the UK. Surely the best outcome would be a unification of Ireland?

[@taintabird23]

These are not the circumstances under which any of us should want unification. The unionists are being backed into a corner and when loyalists feel threatened, they usually start killing Catholics. A united Ireland is logical, but politically it is a huge problem because of Brexit.

[@philippayne4951]

No because the people of Northern Ireland do not want to be republic. And the republic of Ireland do not want to be with the UK, their choice. All this led to the horrible bloody murder of lots of people, leave things as they, and stop all these ideas.

[@philippayne4951]

@bill Bloggs Come on, stop preaching history of Ireland. We live in modern times and we all have to get on in life. IRA done murder in the 70s, and some of our solders done some. Ireland is North and South, and you need to get on with each other, instead of bringing hatred.

[@taintabird23]

@ Bill I never said I was against unity. All I'm saying is that now is not the time, Brexit is not the best context for it. Only a minority of people in NI are loyalist...

[@twomicefighting]

You are not John Hume. He didn't win a Nobel Peace Prize by simplifying the situation in the Six Counties (not "the north") in such a fashion. Also, no such country as Eire. We are called The Republic Of Ireland. I'm pretty sure John Hume would know what a fada is.

[@mistyshadow100]

at least hes honest enough to admit he only cares about the views of the "political class"

[@lawrencebrown3677]

Like you I noted that and have made a comment on it.

[@mururoa7024]

To be fair, nobody in the whole of the British political landscape gives a damn about anything but themselves.

[@erikzoe1]

There may be one or two exceptions, like Caroline Lucas, but you're not far off the truth.

[@sarahclare7746]

The English political class have always been dismissive towards Ireland and the north. Their attitude is "let them kill each other ". They! the English are completely ignorant about their colonial murderous history. Some still think we in Ireland are still part of the empire. Poor, poor fools!!

[@peter3835]

@@erikzoe1 I think you are a longway off the truth ,the UK IS 64 million people and Ireland is just short of 5 million , do you think we should determine our future just because of 5 million and to quote a woman who wants a whole women parliament is ludicrus .

[@erikzoe1]

No, I didn't say we should determine our future just because of 5 million. But from your comment, I take it we can agree that we shouldn't determine our future just because of 17.4 million either.

[@erikzoe1]

Oh, and I don't agree that we should have an all women parliament, I think gender should be irrelevant, but there is a lot more to Caroline Lucas than just that and on the whole I do have a lot of respect for her.

[@WestCoastFlavour]

La Rouche Ireland ♡

[@mboschuk735]

Brilliant

[@johnsmith1474]

The cows in Ireland have different "cuts?" Are you high?

[@Ubu987]

Cows in Ireland have six legs and wings. Mmm, cow wings with BBQ sauce! Yes, I'm high..

[@devonseamoor]

@@Ubu987 Haha, I think that's the best way to treat the whole hilarious affair. The arguments are made up with an inflexible mind, a lack of imagination. That so-called issue could easily be negotiated and solved by an agreement to cut half of the cow in the Irish way and the other half French. I'm not high, but I'm enjoying myself.

[@joeblogg6103]

YOU are are the one "high" .. on ignorance What he's talking about is how the carcass of an animal is cut in smaller bits ready for sale - there is no one unique standard about that, so once a carcass is cut according to the standards in one country you can no longer sell that meat in another country where "cuts" of meat are different. Not to forget that you won't sell a single gram of meat to Muslims or Jews if you can't prove that the meat is Halal or Kosher, etc etc Meat is not "just meat". Sorry, I forgot "who needs experts" ... . Obviously no one, until you hit the wall of reality. Happy encounter with the wall!

[@josephquinn7158]

I work in beef processing. We already ship vast volumes of beef to continental Europe. From my experience, the differences between boning beef for the UK and Europe are basically non existent. Whatever about everything else he said, that comment about beef cuts was poorly informed scaremongering.

[@johnsmith1474]

@@josephquinn7158 - You have my sympathy.

[@davidharrington1133]

To rephrase it for Daithi "The complete and utter surrender of Ireland to the European Union". And I speak as an Irish Daithi myself. Leave with the Uk and avoid all this pain. The Irish economy is smaller than the economy of Greater Manchester. You really don't matter that much in economic terms to the UK, that's the reality.

[@neil492]

LOL! Ireland with the UK. You need to study History! UK would jump all over Ireland again.

[@taintabird23]

The Irish economy is considerably larger than Greater Manchester, its population is smaller. Ireland has the 31st largest economy in the world. If you going to pretend to be Irish you might want to change your avatar.

[@russcattell955i]

David, if as you say the Irish economy don't matter in terms of UK then why would Ireland throw in their lot with UK ?

[@davidharrington1133]

@@taintabird23 Strip out the foreign owned multinationals that wash their profits through Ireland and try again. Oh I am Irish all right, your prejudice is showing.

[@davidharrington1133]

@@russcattell955i I think the relationship is more important to Ireland than it is toe the UK.

[@MARTINA-gc3tq]

didn't the republic have a referendum regarding EU membership or one of the treaties? didn't the vote go against the EU position?

[@taintabird23]

Only the UK has had a referendum on leaving the EU. Ireland has rejected two EU treaties, Nice and Lisbon, and sent their politicians back to the EU to have protocols inserted to allay Irish anxieties. Both were voted upon again with the new protocols inserted and the Irish passed them with a bigger turnout. This fine example of direct democracy in action is dismissed in the UK as 'undemocratic', and this is probably where your misunderstanding comes from.

[@MARTINA-gc3tq]

Taint ABird What misunderstanding? I had a recollection of the Republic voting in an EU referendum of some sort as I stated. I didn’t say the Republic was undemocratic which for some reason you put in quotes. I wonder if the Irish people had voted against the treaty with the new protocols whether they would have had to vote again......

[@taintabird23]

Oh you haven't heard? In the UK 'voting again' is undemocratic. 'I wonder if the Irish people had voted against the treaty with the new protocols whether they would have had to vote again......' Why would it arise? It was passed the second time because the Irish government studied the reasons it was rejected and got the protocols put in. Ireland has had three referenda on abortion, reflecting changes in attitudes - is there something wrong with that? In countries where referenda is commonplace, like Switzerland and Ireland, there is nothing unusual about voting again if new information comes to light or the facts change. In the UK this is considered undemocratic.

[@Mci_kdb6]

Jaysus! that's shocking. I think they are seeing sense now though. Practicalities or impracticalities of implementing Brexit are now being realised.

[@gerardvaughan1847]

@Johannes Liechtenauer After the Scottish referendum, it could be just England not getting "dragged down". That'd serve the fkrs right !!

[@redf7209]

I don't think Boris cares one bit and the English brexit public are totally blinkered, deliberately ignorant. I can't love or give any loyalty to my country England if they ignore this. England is so full of tory shites that i want to disown my country.

[@gerardvaughan1847]

@@redf7209 I had the chance to escape back in 2005, and made it to Bulgaria where I have a company and a detatched house with big garden. In UK I would be looking for bridge to "live under" on the state pension - with which I can do a lot for everyone here in Bg.

[@kevinhorgan2770]

Gerard Vaughan Let the jocks leave U.K.

[@gerardvaughan1847]

@@kevinhorgan2770 I hope they do, then if I ever return it could be to Scotland. But that would be years away and who knows what things will look like by then. To think I voted "leave", seeing the EU as being all too handy for those Globalists. It really is an impossible issue, but after hearing this man, I feel we should remain and do what we can to improve things from within. The EU seems less agressive in foreign policy that UK-US- and the Saudi Wahabbi terrorist vendors - HQ IzraHell.

[@goodlookingcorpse]

In effect, the Conservative government seems to think that Northern Ireland isn't important, let alone the Republic of Ireland.

[@jonnyenglish1776]

The Republic of Ireland is not British territory anymore so why would the conservative government have any design or concern about its dealings or importance? Its not up to the government of the United Kingdom to dictate the affairs of the Irish Republic. They left the union some time ago.

[@goodlookingcorpse]

@@jonnyenglish1776 Read it again.

[@blameyourself4489]

Why not draw the border (a hard one) between Scotland and England? That would be fair for all (except the ones living directly at the border). But what the hell. They voted for it anyway ...

[@armstronggermany2995]

Because Scotland and England are in a Union . Get used to it.

[@blameyourself4489]

You mean the European Union?

[@mandybaldwin1673]

Because the Scots need to escape easily over the border when people try to jail them for teaching their pugs to do tricks.

[@kernowforester2349]

I think the point 'Blame Yourself' is making is that an NI/ROI hard border is arbitrary, like Scotland and England. Or how about Kent retaining a soft border with France? That would in effect push the UK/EU border to Kent/Sussex. An ROI/NI soft border in effect pushes the UK/EU hard border into the Irish Sea, isolating NI from the rest of the UK. We live in a democracy (supposedly) so an NI/ROI and Scotland/UK border could easily change. I can see NI eventually reunifying with ROI, and perhaps Scotland becoming independent. We'll see in time. Saying 'get used to it' sounds like non democracy? Having lived in both NI and Scotland, I have a particular interest in what happens.

[@thefinalwhistle1623]

@@armstronggermany2995 union is finished. get used to it

[@josephhandford6138]

There are other 3rd countries who are not in the EU but members of the European Aviation Safety Authority so to state that it will limit the UK's flight's to and from Europe is a lie. Many routes from and to Europe use the UK as a stop off so they will want to keep it that way as well.

[@taintabird23]

Yes, but it done through agreement. The UK has no agreement with the EU.

[@josephhandford6138]

@@taintabird23 SO what does this imply?

[@shanetreacyferguson2459]

when was the last time ireland was united

[@maxbacon4828]

@Ford Prefect Well said!.

[@davianthule2035]

The Irish confederation in the 1600s and about 1000 years of unity under a high king, ironic our disunity came from English interference

[@billwillis5732]

The republic isn't even united why because the EU is destroying it by flooding its shores . Longford has now a Nigerian majority .Muslims protest in Dublin - KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqOziICaq6qAd6c 4:24 26/09/2012 · The organisers of a Muslim protest march in Dublin against an anti-Islamic video and series of cartoons, from Stephen's Green to the American and French emba... Author: shamsulalamarakani Views: 6.1K

[@dickmartino9933]

If things are going to be so bad then this should focus your minds to create the best situation possible. As of May 2018, the UK has not seen it.

[@taintabird23]

Focus minds on what? The UK government cannot even agree a position on Brexit with itself!

[@americandog8380]

Sadly the majority of citizens in Northern Ireland voted remain The Tory Gov of the U.K. have taken it upon themselves to breakup the peace and economic unity

[@SimonCowie86]

American Dog in 3 or more years time the UK Goverment will have zero opportunity but to grant a boarder poll & that will go the way of a United Ireland & Scotland will get their Independence poll as well & they will leave the UK as well it will be RIP Union

[@amamrasaid8653]

I BELIEVE THAT KING OF THE WORLD SIR AMAMRA SAID THANKS.

[@jimboult6080]

Well that was sobering! Why isn't it this kinda stuff that goes viral? It's 18 months old and I'm just seeing this!? That's the power of the modern internet I guess. Maybe Google didn't want me to see it :) It just sucks on EVERY SINGLE LEVEL IMAGINABLE. I still don't understand how this happened :(

[@gibmattson1217]

Its' a great breath of fresh air to hear about Brexit from an Irish perspective. And an intelligent, knowledgeable person. I've only heard it from English (mostly BBC) perspectives and the English NAZI types on You Tube. I'm English and an EU lover - not just because of trading benefits but its also kept peace in Europe to a large extent since ww2. I hope that Europe prospers when England goes. The English people as they are now are too selfish and mean to be anything much more than antagonistic to European unity. Best of luck Ireland. I only worry about Donald and Vladimir who are both it would seem, anti EU. Britain (a reluctant Scotland) moves closer to ba*!ards like that. Get me out of this country.

[@NickMusselle]

this guy articulates expertly how brexit matters so much.

@Roger Dodger No, just a hard border again...nothing to see here.

[@redf7209]

This seems to be mostly the view from an Eire perspective but a totally valid view. What I would have liked to understand is why the unionists are supporting the Tories to the bitter 'no deal' end on this?

[@taintabird23]

That's why its called 'Brexit from an Irish perspective'.

[@redf7209]

@@taintabird23 I did expect more from the Ulster point of view too.

[@taintabird23]

You mean Northern Ireland? I think that's a fair point.

[@klaasdeboer8106]

I think Brtain in stead of a perceived immigration problem might get an Emigration problem, Here in Amsterdam the amount of young well educated Brits seems to be steadily increasing. Just a visit to the bar next door. Uk paid for their education.

[@mushogi]

nope they paid and are still paying for their own education.

[@patrickpower3587]

and when Europe fights with their new army,will a formerly neutral Ireland be forced to fight as well, is Ireland's former neutrality ended...??????

[@gerardvaughan1847]

@Ford Prefect Very interesting. I.B's are an unavoidable evil it seems, if one and one's Donkey Cart want to go places. Used to just need hay. - and water. And a shed.

[@taintabird23]

Ireland is not neutral, it has an independent foreign policy. Ireland had a protocol inserted in the Lisbon treaty protecting the Irish right not to be obliged to participate in a European Army.

[@SuperIcekool]

@@taintabird23 If that is true, which I doubt, it is another benefit the Irish Freeloader State is having without payment, such as N.A.T.O. potection and free shelter under the British and American nuclear umbrella for the last 65 years.

[@taintabird23]

Please specify which part of my comment to deem to be untrue. Ireland is located in one of the most stable and peaceful parts of the planet, surrounded by countries that are not a threat. To my knowledge, NATO has only ever been an aggressor - such as in the Balkans and Libya. It is also the case that if Ireland was ever attacked, the UK would would intervene, and if the attack included NI, NATO would. Mutually Assured Destruction dictates that the entire world lives under the umbrella of a nuclear deterrent that can never be used. You might want to think through your comments before posting them.

[@davediesel90]

@@taintabird23 kudos to you for being well informed 👍 very much in the minority here sadly, where opinion seems to matter more than facts.

[@Burnersforvanlife]

Just because ireland had a second vote, does not mean we have to have one. Democratic vote. OUT AS FAST AS WE CAN!!!

[@dunnel58]

How did the Brits allow Brexit to happen?

[@taintabird23]

Through incompetence and hubris.

[@HaiLsKuNkY]

do you forget the time when Ireland voted against the EU constitution? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-eighth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_Bill_2008_(Ireland)

[@dunnel58]

But Ireland had a mechanism that allowed a rethink.

[@dunnel58]

Hi Acac, do you know something that I don't?

[@lolb4507]

Lies and deviousness.

[@raybo64]

Alan Harvey, if you carried out some research you'd come to a different preconception. As far as the Apple tax is concerned the problem is the USA tax system. The output of Apple in other countries has no relationship with or effect on Ireland's GDP or GNP.

[@alanharvey9094]

Ray Smyth ... I have indeed carried out "some" research as you put it. It is yourself who has clearly not. You are wrong I'm afraid ... profits, sales etc. as a result of multinational activity are declared in Ireland and some of these figures, Apple's being one, are reflected in Ireland's GDP figures. I'm surprised that you aren't aware of this fact. Please don't put words in my mouth by referring to "Apple Tax" .. I am not talking about tax ... I am talking about the multinationals declaring their dealings / sales / profits, in Ireland ... this leading to a false GDP figure. What has tax to do with this? Why even mention tax? When you say, _"The output of Apple in other countries has no relationship with or effect on Ireland's GDP or GNP."_ you are again wrong. Do you really believe that Ireland produces this much stuff and/or provides this many services to "earn" for itself the GDP figure which is shown in many places? Spare me. Argue with the economists. It’s better to face the facts and look at Irish debt per capita as a country with such a high GDP is unlikely to have such a high debt per person. Do you really believe it possible that a country's GDP can jump by 26.3% in just one year with it having already been forecast by economists to rise by just 7.8%? Did you ever see this as strange? Or did you just swallow it? It's an old story now .. time you wised up. "A handful of multinational companies in the tech, pharma and aircraft leasing sectors were responsible for an extraordinary jump in Ireland’s headline rate of economic growth last year. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Irish gross domestic product (GDP) grew by a colossal 26.3 per cent in 2015 rather than the 7.8 per cent previously estimated in March. The reclassification related to a number of once-off factors, including the relocation of aircraft leasing assets, a spate of so-called corporate inversion deals and the transfer of international patents, all of which were widely recognised as not reflecting changes to the real economy. Ireland has become a favoured destination for fiscal restructuring deals involving large multinationals. Among the previously reported deals in 2015, tech giant Apple reportedly relocated a substantial portion of its intellectual property assets here last year amid the global clampdown on multinational tax avoidance. " The Irish Times July 2016 On 12 July 2016, the Irish Central Statistics Office published its latest national accounts data for 2015, revealing that real GDP growth was up 26.3% from 2014 (and up 32.4% in current prices) These figures have attracted considerable attention in the international press, with commentators raising questions about their reliability and about the conceptual basis for the measurement of GDP. The main reason for the particularly high Irish GDP growth rates lies in the fact that in recent years, attracted in large part by low corporation tax rates, a number of large multinational corporations have relocated their economic activities, and more specifically their underlying intellectual property, to Ireland. As a result, sales (production) generated from the use of intellectual property now contribute to Irish GDP rather than to other countries’ GDP. Given the size of these companies, the boost to GDP growth has been correspondingly large. www.oecd.org/sdd/na/Irish-GDP-up-in-2015-OECD.pdf (August 2017) "The reason perhaps, comes down to how our GDP figure is collated. As was highlighted last year amid talk of *“leprechaun economics”,* the transfer of intellectual property rights and the level of multinational activity in Ireland flatters the level of economic activity." "This means that while there undoubtedly has been an improvement in Ireland’s debt burden, it is “altogether less spectacular” than the debt-to-GDP ratio might indicate - hence a higher debt per capita figure than might be expected." “The improvement is real, but the scale of improvement is exaggerated,” Hughes says, adding: “There is that sense of ‘We had a crisis and now it’s gone away’, but these numbers clearly indicate it hasn’t gone away; it has eased, but there are still vulnerabilities in the economy.” "Indeed, as Hughes notes, the risks our debt burden poses come on two fronts: if interest rates were to rise substantially it would increase the cost of servicing this debt; while if the level of GDP growth is diminished this could sharply increase the aforementioned debt-to-GDP ratio." "A hefty debt burden does not mean, however, that it should not rise once more. “Once there is an economic and social return on that debt, the reality is you can argue for a lot of areas of public investment,” says Hughes. “An increase in debt is reasonable provided it’s sustainable.” So, like the consumer taking out a loan to further their education, perhaps compared with a credit-card debt for a holiday, there can be “good” and “bad” government debt too." "Household debt." *"It’s not just government debt that the Irish risk being suffocated by: household debt, while still improving, is also high by European averages, at €31,096 per capita."* *"Although the most recent figures from the Central Bank, for February, show Irish households reduced debt as a proportion of income more than any country in the European Union over the previous 12 months, Irish consumers continue to be the fourth most indebted in the bloc, with a debt-to-disposable-income ratio of 144.8 per cent. This compares with 223.3 per cent for the Danes, and less than 100 per cent in Spain, Greece, France, Germany and Italy."* *"Ireland's national debt per capita is the second highest in the world at €42,000- €44,000 each. The more than €200bn national debt doesn't include household and business debts, Department of Finance chief economist John McCarthy told the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee (PAC). "People forget we have this legacy of this scale," Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told the Oireachtas Finance Committee at a separate hearing yesterday. The minister said a "fifth to a quarter" of the total debt is bank-related, with the rest a result of borrowing to fund spending deficits. The minister confirmed that all of the €3.4bn in cash raised from the sale of 28pc of AIB last month will go to repay debt."* The Irish Independent July 2017 "Data released on Friday suggest Irish gross domestic product (GDP) accelerated at a rate of 10.5 per cent in the 12 months to September, far surpassing even the most ambitious projections and prompting economists to rewrite their forecasts for the year. But Paschal Donohoe, finance minister, was quick to say a large part of the surge arose from Irish-resident multinationals increasing the amount of contract manufacturing theycarry on outside Ireland. Under statistical rules such manufacturing is marked down as a boost to Ireland’s exports. This is then reflected in the country’s national accounts, even though the actual economic activity takes place elsewhere. The minister’s 2018 budget was predicated on the achievement of 4.3 per cent GDP growth this year. “On the basis of today’s data, the outturn for this year is likely to be above … projections,” he said." www.ft.com/content/e3ae03c7-f2d1-304f-a4bf-1bb1cf16ce71 (Financial Times Dec 2017) GDP is not an indicator of a country’s material well-being . What further complicates the understanding of the Irish case is the fact that often GDP is interpreted as an indicator of the purchasing power or the material well-being of a country. In this respect, it is important to state that GDP is primarily a gross measure of economic activities on the economic territory of a country, and the income generated through those activities. High levels of GDP thus do not necessarily mean high levels of the (net) income flowing to the residents of an economy. *This is because some of the income generated by production may be repatriated to non-residents, for example in the case of income generated by affiliates of multinational enterprises.* Another part may be needed to compensate for the additional depreciation costs. In the case of Ireland, Net National Income (NNI), which equals GDP plus net receipts of compensation of employees and property income (interest, dividends, reinvested earning of foreign direct investment, etc.) from the rest the world minus depreciation, shows a considerably lower growth rate. Whereas in 2015 GDP in current prices increased by 32.4 %, growth of NNI amounted to “only” 6.4%. www.oecd.org/sdd/na/Irish-GDP-up-in-2015-OECD.pdf

[@raybo64]

@@alanharvey9094 After all that, you're wrong.

[@alanharvey9094]

@@raybo64 Look .. if I'm wrong, I assume you mean one of two things. Either, I'm wrong on every point I made, and i made many ... or, I'm wrong on one or certain points. You need to qualify your response. If I am proven wrong, you will get a hands up from me. I have no wish to "win" an argument on any false premise.

[@raybo64]

@@alanharvey9094 You're wrong on the USA tax system. It doesn't tax profits until they are repatriated. The tax is not due in Ireland. It's due everywhere except Ireland, until it's eventually taxed on return to the USA, when its then refundable if already paid elsewhere. All the tax due has been collected and is sitting in an escrow account. Ireland can never, ever touch it. Anyway, that Commission decision is referred to the Court of Justice of the EU which you lot don't want to have any thing to do with. None of that matters and pales into significance compared to your stupid Brexshit decision.

[@alanharvey9094]

@@raybo64 Well, you've had four months to consider what I said on the subject of the multi-national companies declaring their profits in Ireland and four months to absorb what I said on the issue of tax .. a subject which you raised, not me. Has this been festering within you for so long? I said at the time, _"You are wrong I'm afraid...profits, sales etc. as a result of multinational activity are declared in Ireland and some of these figures, Apple's being one, are reflected in Ireland's GDP figures."_ This is my point and you still seem to want to swerve that important point and talk about tax .... even after four months. I went on to say, and four months ago, _"Please don't put words in my mouth by referring to "Apple Tax". I am not talking about tax, I am talking about the multinationals declaring their dealings / sales / profits, in Ireland, this leading to a false GDP figure. What has tax to do with this? Why even mention tax?"_ What I said doesn't appear to have sunk in. I have at no point even suggested that Ireland "receives" this tax which you mention, of course they don't. I can't see the reason for the subject of tax being raised ... it was yourself who raised it ... for what reason, I still have no idea, that is in your head I imagine, certainly not mine. I have no idea to which country this "tax" that you mention is owed and I don't care, it is not relevant to my point. That is a matter for Ireland, The US and the EU to work out. It has nothing at all to do with my point on where sales and profits of multi-national companies are declared. As for your last comment with your childish little schoolboy-like pop at Brexit, all I want, as do all of the people who voted to leave the EU, is for my country to be completely independent and to once again be completely autonomous. I can't think why this should have offended you to the extent that it clearly has. That says a lot about you.

[@richardcoundley]

Behind this man’s very reasonable tones, he is giving a very one sided and biased view of the situation, and of Anglo Irish relations and history. It is what he fails to mention that is so distorting. For example following independence of the ROI in 1921, the Anglos and the Protestants were hugely discriminated against and ethically cleansed. The Protestant faith has virtually been eradicated in the Republic. If I were a Protestant and a Unionist living in the north, I would be very scared of reunification. Many of the problems he discusses relate to trade but he fails to mention the EU refusal to pragmatically deal with trade. Most of these problems could be solved if the EU was willing to cooperate. But the EU is primarily focused on punishing the UK to dissuade other EU countries from thinking about leaving the EU.

[@AvicoLtdUK]

@Michael Halligan It'll be fine. They'll all be going to Scotland to play with the SNP. The SNP welcomes migrants. Alternatively, you might get Arlene in the Doyle. Now wouldn't that be fun.

[@mariapalmer5671]

What about the Irish fishing industry ? I believe Irish fishermen are only allowed to take 4% of their own fish . How many billions have Ireland lost in revenue on their own assets

[@eaglewing572001]

Recorded on the 21st February2018.Today 28th June 2018 there are crisis talks in Austria to address the issue of immigration...

[@paulwary]

Why does he keep saying “the island of Ireland” is there another Ireland that’s not an island? Edit: never mind, realized that ‘Ireland’ , unqualified, means (in Ireland) Southern Ireland.

[@taintabird23]

There is no such country as Southern Ireland - the 26 county state is called Ireland. The Island of Ireland constitutes Ireland and Northern Ireland.

[@paulwary]

Taint ABird Yes, but it would have been very Irish to say "Ireland, unqualified, means Ireland".

[@terrymcclatchey5949]

A clear, comprehensive and well informed analysis of the issues. This speech should be listened to by all. There are no answers here but DO'C makes clear the fundamental incompatibility of the UK government's current position of no customs union, no hard border in Ireland and no hard border between NI and GB. As a matter of logic, one at least of those stated principles has to be compromised.

[@taintabird23]

Sadly, reading most of the comments here, most commentators never bothered to listen to it.

[@johncraske]

Terry McClatchey I couldn't agree more. This was an excellent and calm look at the potential problems Ireland could face post-Brexit. What I find ironic is that I can't recall Ireland even being mentioned during the referendum campaign. Yet it is probably the biggest headache the UK Government now faces in the negotiations. I also find it ironic that one of the 'selling points' for Leavers was that the UK would have total control over its borders. How exactly is a border without customs posts having total control?

[@taintabird23]

'also a clear requiem for any hopes for a democratic Republic 1:31' How?

[@taintabird23]

Last time I checked the polls, 88% of the population of the Republic supported EU membership. I was surprised support for the EU was so low. What this man was saying is that there is no cabal of Irish politicians seeking to take Ireland out of the EU. Sinn Féin was Ireland's eurosceptic party, they opposed membership in the first place, but even they've changed their tune. Their position on Europe got ZERO political traction and undermined their desire to grow as a political force in the Republic. Membership of the EU has been good for Ireland. As for your suspicions, Brexiters are so gullible they will believe what the want. They're the Americans of Europe.

[@taintabird23]

I didn't go ad hominem at all. 'No, what he was saying to his audience back home was "do not get any ideas in your thick heads about leaving the EU along with the British because my chums and I ain't gonna allow it." Insight: they tried that in the UK and it back-fired' Eh, no. This entire presentation was for a British audience and he was stating the obvious to anyone who is Irish. He was explaining that there is no movement for exiting the EU in the Ireland. This is because some Brexiters assumed that as Ireland joined the EU with the UK, that it would leave with the UK also. He closed the door on that notion. 'The question at hand is not "do you support EU membership?" The question is, "do you want to remain in the EU after Britain has left and we become net fiscal contributors to the EU?" Profound difference there and based on the result of the Ireland referendum in 2008 on EU Treat of Lisbon (53.4% rejection) it is unclear what the answer would be.' Ireland is already a net contributor to the EU budget, and has offered its support to increase it. Money had nothing at all to do with Lisbon. While Farage decided, and then told the British people , that the Irish reaction to Lisbon was a sign that Ireland was Eurosceptic, the truth is that the Irish rejected Lisbon because the Irish government could not explain to the Irish people WHY they should vote for it. The Minister in charge of getting the Lisbon treaty over the line admitted he had never even read it! You can believe what you want. As an Irishman, I know what he is talking about. He has explained it better than I've heard any Irish politician.

[@jasonkingshott2971]

The EU had plenty of opportunities to change it's ways, it didn't, hence the UK leaving.

[@taintabird23]

Sorry, but the EU does not exist for the benefit of the UK alone. Get over yourselves.

[@jasonkingshott2971]

@@taintabird23 Sorry, no one said it did, but the consequence was leaving the dictatorship, get over yourselves.

[@taintabird23]

@@jasonkingshott2971 Said what? The UK had more opt outs than any other member, but it was never enough. Like every spoiled child, when you don't get what you want, you went into a strop, and left. Pathetic.

[@jasonkingshott2971]

@@taintabird23 No one went "into a strop" The democratic majority decided it wanted to the dictatorship. When Ireland, France, The Netherlands and Denmark voted for no further EU integration, they were told to vote again, until they get the correct result, they call that "democracy EU style".

[@taintabird23]

@@jasonkingshott2971 Ireland wasnt told to vote again. Nigel Farage said Ireland was told to vote again, and you believed him. Ireland was told by Manuel Barroso that the EU was moving on without a it. So Ireland renegotiated the treaty to allow for Irish concerns over neutrality, and then voted in favour of the treaty with a higher turnout. The very essence of direct democracy in action. Not that you would understand that, with your advisory poll. I've voted in more referenda on different constitutional issues in the last 5 years that you would in several lifetimes.

[@abacussin]

Does Northern Ireland want to be part of the UK or part of the EU ?

[@taintabird23]

It would appear that on the day of the vote, Northern Ireland wanted to be part of the UK and the EU.

[@abacussin]

@@taintabird23 Didn't the people of the North of Ireland vote by a majority to stay in the UK some years ago? do you think they should be given a vote on staying with the UK or staying with the EU?

[@taintabird23]

There was a referendum held in the early 70s that only Unionists voted in. Nationalists boycotted it. I do not think NI should be given a vote on staying in the UK or the EU. This is because many Unionists who of course want to stay in the UK also voted to stay in the EU. Most nationalists and these pro-EU unionists between them make up the majority of opinion in NI, and they would settle for staying in the Customs Union. However, the DUP will not let them. A vote on staying in the UK or the EU would break down along sectarian lines and open up old wounds. Brexit is not the circumstance within which there should be a border poll, that's for sure. Dublin knows all of this. Dublin wants to maintain the status quo and avoid any mention of Irish unity, betrayal of unionists or a resurgent dissident IRA on the border. All of these will lead to destabilisation.

[@abacussin]

@@taintabird23 Thank you very much for your very insightful reply.

[@taintabird23]

You're welcome.

[@fancypelusa2863]

Clearly it's not an economic question for some of the British and in particular for the English but a question of sovereignty. The open borders thing encourages people in poorer low-wage EU countries to freely travel to those with higher wages to offer their labor for less thus undermining wages in the host country and a gift to those who would exploit them. If everything must be monetized and valuated why has the EU never adopted a minimum living wage common to all its members?

[@taintabird23]

Because the cost of living varies widely from one country to the next.