Could a united Ireland benefit Ulster unionists?

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

What we need is a clear detailed plan from the government in Ireland for a united Ireland instead of ignoring the issue

[@dibble2005]

How typically Irish is that. Defending the party that caused all the trouble in dividing the country. Remember it was the Unionists who partitioned Ireland with the conniving of Lloyd George secretly behind the backs of the Irish while the Irish delegation knew nothing about it. Then he started negotiations then with the Irish when the deal was already done and the Unionists had their choice of the counties they wanted in the North. The Tories caused it all and Lloyd George.

[@sb8163]

It's a bit rich to talk of Protestant fears of discrimination on religious grounds when they expected Catholic citizens to give their allegiance to a country which institutionalises discrimination against their religion to the highest levels in the state by forbidding anyone of their religion from becoming Monarch. Ireland's first President, Douglas Hyde, was a Protestant. Sean's question 'why not belong to Germany?' is an argument which is based on the hatred of the Irish to the extent that they would rather any other people to the people that they have shared the place they live in with for centuries. If that is still an argument things haven't moved on much in over a century from the old home rule debates in the House of Commons: "I should like to give this quotation from the 'Irish Churchman' in 1913: "It may not be known to the rank and file of Unionists that we have the offer of aid from a powerful Continental monarch, who, if Home Rule is forced on the Protestants of Ireland, is prepared to send an army sufficient to release England of any further trouble in Ireland by attaching it to his dominion, believing, as he does, that if our King breaks his Coronation oath by signing the Home Rule Bill he will, by so doing, have forfeited his claim to rule Ireland. And should our King sign the Home Rule Bill, the Protestants of Ireland will welcome this Continental deliverer, as their forefathers, under similar circumstances, did once before." Who is this Continental deliverer? Another quotation will show, and that is the quotation from a speech of Major Crawford, who assisted in landing arms in Ireland. He said "If we are put out of the Union, I would infinitely prefer to change my allegiance right over to the Emperor of Germany or anyone else who has a proper form of government." ' A further indication of the hatred for all things Irish is the resistance to an Irish language act, though this would bring NI into line with Scotland and Wales. The discrimination against Irish culture was also an issue in Home Rule debates: "Is it the law that a man cannot talk common sense in Irish, but may talk treason in French, because I understand that at one of these Gaelic meetings an eminent Gaelic scholar was speaking in the Gaelic language when a policeman came up and told him that he could not speak Irish, and this gentleman, having been closured, proceeded to use the most treasonable statements in French, and was allowed to go on! Is it the law which makes it treasonable to play Gaelic games, because it is said they are political?" Another problem that has been repeated through the centuries to modern times is the sending over to Ireland of ministers who have never set foot in the country before the day of their appointment, a point made in the House of Commons over a century ago: "How is any nation to rule another when it is itself ignorant of the nation which it attempts to rule?" The decision on calling a border poll lies with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley was so ignorant of Northern Ireland that 'Things Karen Bradley Never Knew' became a viral trend. - source: Mr Dillon's Motion. HC Deb 29 July 1918 Vol 109 cc 45-201

[@freespeechisneverwrong9351]

She’s absolutely right. You need to convince the unionists instead of running at it like a bull. Only then will it work.

[@mickmerr]

If it's to happen, yes. But the bigger question is should it happen and if so why ? The question of a united Ireland is a very different one now than 100 yrs ago, ROI is a very different place than its was when the country was divided.

[@seaniek9175]

Unionists identify as British . Same as nationalists identify as Irish. We will have a united Ireland when there's more nationalists in the North. All comes down to head count. Nothing to do with economics. If standard of living was higher in Britian , I still dont want to be British .

[@anthonyo.6084]

Time for a United Ireland.

[@Vote4pedro69]

This line of discourse needs to become commonplace, great points. At the end of the day it will be hard for unionists to object to a United Ireland which would enrich them and allow to prosper rather than get caught in their spiral of bitterness as a people. Part of the issue now is historically unionist held power of the key industries of NI and were always guaranteed a good living which reaffirmed their perceived superiority over catholics. Now due to their lack of investment in education, something which the catholic community saw as a way out, they are now stuck with a combination of poverty and an identity crisis.

[@mcollinss116]

I applaud the effort, however I don’t think there’s convincing the unionists that a united Ireland is good for them, as they see it the very thing defies there existence.

[@edwardbrady5843]

It's possible they might wish to relocate to Scotland?

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Will this medieval "tribe" still burn our sovereign "fleg" if we unite?

[@freespeechisneverwrong9351]

Sorry the HSE is rubbish compared to the NHS. Why people are not living longer is another question.

[@markc3258]

Never mind getting Ireland united again We need out of EU .. Now !!

[@pfauniversal1890]

United States of Ireland

[@michaelflynn5123]

What benefits? 20 30 percent of catholic people in north wouldn’t vote for united ireland that’s why Sinn Fein won’t call for a border poll

[@johnmurphy9304]

Getting away from the EU is more important...

[@stevensibbet5869]

JOIN NATO!

[@mickmerr]

I'm still waiting on an answer to the question of what's in it for ROI? I understand this ladies perspective but its not a balanced piece and she wilts pretty quick when asked.

[@RaulMeatFactory1975]

It would be united in name only.

[@Tyr-not-mars]

Following Micheal Martin' statement to the UN this weekend describing not the banks of his own lovely Lee ,,but his " Home continent of Europe" ? ..there will be a partition of Atlantic seaboard civilization counties very soon and the Ulster issue is not relevant as Northern Ireland has no territory on the Atlantic... ..people on the Atlantic are not European nor define their identities as such ...it's no longer a North -South issue ..it's a West v East and always has...

[@freespeechisneverwrong9351]

????

[@pixieizzy5431]

Michael Martin was a disgrace banging on about climate change agenda while back in reality people struggle to feed themselves,He is a sell out Globalist

[@jack-zy5bt]

counties divide west east what the hell are u on about maybe west vs east countries u mesn

[@LeMerch]

@@freespeechisneverwrong9351 yeah I've no idea what they just said either hahaha