If the UK asked Ireland to rejoin the Union, how would you vote?

pedro1234 · 20-09-2014 6:03am #1

If the UK asked Ireland to rejoin the Union, how would you vote?

1. Yes to accept rejoining the Union.
2. No to reject rejoining the Union.

qdawg86 · 20-09-2014 6:08am

The whack eh bog off the Irish government.........Id still vote no though.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 20-09-2014 6:17am

No to reject rejoining the Union

A federal Union of the 4 great states who built the Empire. Ireland is unified and old tensions die, a new force to lead the way, two islands united. We're not European we're British and Irish Dammit!

McDermotX · 20-09-2014 6:26am

Good God no !!

Cannot understand why anyone would entertain such a notion, or even willingly choose not to seize an opportunity to break away from such a union.

Madness.....

Galwayguy35 · 20-09-2014 6:41am

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

A federal Union of the 4 great states who built the Empire. Ireland is unified and old tensions die, a new force to lead the way, two islands united. We're not European we're British and Irish Dammit!

Yeah great Empire it was built on slavery and murder.

Retrovertigo · 20-09-2014 6:43am

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

Yeah great Empire it was built on slavery and murder.

Name one that wasn't.

P_1 · 20-09-2014 6:43am

Yes for a federal union with taxation, financial and foreign policy decided in Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff and London.

No for a union with everything decided on in London.

FunLover18 · 20-09-2014 6:46am

6 replies and nobody's called anyone a West Brit

Deedsie · 20-09-2014 6:49am

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

A federal Union of the 4 great states who built the Empire. Ireland is unified and old tensions die, a new force to lead the way, two islands united. We're not European we're British and Irish Dammit!

Yawn, we are not British. You may be, I'm not. I see no benefit to Ireland having anything to do with the UK, excluding of course good friends and neighbours.

Galwayguy35 · 20-09-2014 6:49am

Retrovertigo wrote: »

Name one that wasn't.

I don't have to name one that wasn't because they all were.

Taking what didn't belong to them and killing anyone who got in their way.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 20-09-2014 6:57am

No to reject rejoining the Union

Deedsie wrote: »

Yawn, we are not British. You may be, I'm not. I see no benefit to Ireland having anything to do with the UK, excluding of course good friends and neighbours.

British for those who live on the island of Britain, Irish for those who live on the island of Ireland. It's simple the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland. Four small North Atlantic nations who've given so much to the rest of the world.

And they said that the Romans were ahead of their time.

Jawgap · 20-09-2014 7:01am

Depends on the nature of the 'union' - if it was a federated republic with a strong upper house where each country had equal representation then I'd could be persuaded to vote for it.

Also, the NHS would have to replace the HSE - the utility companies would have to be allowed to operate here - education would have to be 'proper' free - and we'd have to get the same motor tax

Queenie would have to go as head of state - she's a nice lady, but the whole idea of monarchies is way outmoded.

If it simply meant having a parliament in Dublin with the same powers as whatever the Scots get, and us returning a number of MPs based on our population size then probably no.

FunLover18 · 20-09-2014 7:13am

Deedsie wrote: »

Yawn, we are not British. You may be, I'm not. I see no benefit to Ireland having anything to do with the UK, excluding of course good friends and neighbours.

I voted 'no' but even I can see the irony of your 'yawn'

Esel · 20-09-2014 7:19am

Deedsie wrote: »

I see no benefit to Ireland having anything to do with the UK, excluding of course good friends and neighbours.

You forget trade.

Symbiosis and all that, and the world is no longer flat.

Jawgap · 20-09-2014 7:23am

Deedsie wrote: »

Yawn, we are not British. You may be, I'm not. I see no benefit to Ireland having anything to do with the UK, excluding of course good friends and neighbours.

It's kind of interesting that when we were on our uppers we borrowed from a number of sources including the UK and our European 'friends' - who do you think is charging us the lowest interest (by some margin)? HINT: It's also the same country that adds the lowest margin (0.18%) to it's own borrowing costs to calculate the rate it charges us.......;)

getzls · 20-09-2014 7:32am

No to reject rejoining the Union

Retrovertigo wrote: »

Name one that wasn't.

It made Ireland what it is to-day.

The Germans would not have done that.

Buona Fortuna · 20-09-2014 7:41am

Public poll nice touch :eek:

We should do that in real life too. None of this secret ballot b0llox:D

iDave · 20-09-2014 7:45am

We're already in a union of a European variety. That'll do pig that'll do.

Soft Falling Rain · 20-09-2014 7:48am

Depends on what's in it for us. I wouldn't dismiss it completely.

I said · 20-09-2014 7:51am

And que at foreign exchanges to go on holidays.No from me.

jank · 20-09-2014 8:06am

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

A federal Union of the 4 great states who built the Empire. Ireland is unified and old tensions die, a new force to lead the way, two islands united. We're not European we're British and Irish Dammit!

This is what would make more sense. It is strange that we had no problem joining the EU but a question about Commonwealth or a Union of the British Isles is out of the question for vague nationalistic reasons of old. Like it or not we are economically, culturally and lately politically more closely aligned the the UK than any where else in the world. It seems the French try and screw us over, given any opportunity to talk about our tax rates but the Brits have our back in regards this matter. Yet, cognitive dissonance reigns in Irish Republican circles.

Jawgap · 20-09-2014 8:11am

jank wrote: »

This is what would make more sense. It is strange that we had no problem joining the EU but a question about Commonwealth or a Union of the British Isles is out of the question for vague nationalistic reasons of old. Like it or not we are economically, culturally and lately politically more closely aligned the the UK than any where else in the world. It seems the French try an screw us over given any opportunity to talk about our tax rates and the Brits is seems has our back in regards this matter. Yet, cognitive dissonance reigns in Irish republican circles.

I think politically the main stumbling blocks would be having a monarch as head of state and that unless there was huge political reform any federation / union would be dominated by the English - hence my suggestion for an upper house where each country has equal representation.

The only 'down' side I can see is that we lose an EU Commissioner - but given the latest gombeen we've just sent out there, maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 20-09-2014 8:31am

jank wrote: »

This is what would make more sense. It is strange that we had no problem joining the EU but a question about Commonwealth or a Union of the British Isles is out of the question for vague nationalistic reasons of old. Like it or not we are economically, culturally and lately politically more closely aligned the the UK than any where else in the world. It seems the French try an screw us over given any opportunity to talk about our tax rates and the Brits is seems has our back in regards this matter. Yet, cognitive dissonance reigns in Irish republican circles.

That's simply not true. Politically the Irish are very pro European Union, the British on the other hand are one of the least and could potentially withdraw from it in the near future. Fine Gael are the most right of centre party in Ireland but would be seen as Lefties by the Conservatives. Our Labour Party is to the left of their Labour Party. Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are quite different to the Lib Dems.
Irish people don't want a Euro skeptic right wing government.

We have the Common Travel Area which means there are no added conveniences to having a union with Britain.

We would have to harmonise our corporation tax with the rest of the UK. Bye bye FDI!!!

We would have to send our troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. We would become a more legitimate target for Islamic extremists.

We could see a rejuvenated New IRA drawing Republicans from all corners of the island to violently fight against it.

The Queen would be our head of state.

My local TDs voice would be diluted by having a larger core of politicians ( who would be mainly English and simply don't care about Ireland).

Should we join a union with Britain? GET DA FUK...!!!

Dirty Dingus McGee · 20-09-2014 8:34am

No.

although I'm pretty sure a decent proportion of the media would try and convince us to rejoin.

Henry Sidney · 20-09-2014 8:38am

No to reject rejoining the Union

We don't want you anyway. Bad enough having the North, which we would gladly get rid of tomorrow, without taking the baggage of the South too.

It's really about time you stopped thinking we care about it to be honest. Stupid amount of UK related threads on here. Is there nothing else to talk about in Ireland?

whatdoicare · 20-09-2014 8:40am

What'd be the difference? Our government copies everything the British government does except with a bit of 1950s sexism and racism thrown in.

We probably wouldn't even notice.

Buona Fortuna · 20-09-2014 8:41am

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

That's simply not true. Politically the Irish are very pro European Union, the British on the other hand are one of the least and could potentially withdraw from it in the near future. Fine Gael are the most right of centre party in Ireland but would be seen as Lefties by the Conservatives. Our Labour Party is to the left of their Labour Party. Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are quite different to the Lib Dems.
Irish people don't want a Euro skeptic right wing government.

Maybe, maybe not, but if for the sake of argument someone did, how should they cast their vote?

We would have to send our troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. We would become a more legitimate target for Islamic extremists.

We do anyway. Admittedly we don't send them but there are a lot of Irish/Irish descent in UK forces.

The Queen would be our head of state.

Yep we'd lose that 5 yearly bumfest of the political parties putting up there favourite gob$shoite.

Jawgap · 20-09-2014 9:02am

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

That's simply not true. Politically the Irish are very pro European Union, the British on the other hand are one of the least and could potentially withdraw from it in the near future. Fine Gael are the most right of centre party in Ireland but would be seen as Lefties by the Conservatives. Our Labour Party is to the left of their Labour Party. Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are quite different to the Lib Dems.
Irish people don't want a Euro skeptic right wing government.

Simply not true - the Scots (are they not also British) are very pro-Europe, and the Welsh Cornish (are they not British) - moderately pro-Europe. The British are more than the 'Home Counties' parochial English.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We have the Common Travel Area which means there are no added conveniences to having a union with Britain.

True

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We would have to harmonise our corporation tax with the rest of the UK. Bye bye FDI!!!

Not true - the reforms proposed for the Scots include tax varying powers - the simple idea being that the Parliament in Edinburgh would have the power to set many of it's own taxes, with a the block grant being varied accordingly.

If anything that retained power combined with unfettered access to the financial services sector in London would boost FDI.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We would have to send our troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. We would become a more legitimate target for Islamic extremists.

We would enjoy a shared defence that's true - but it's not like Irish men (including personnel from the PDF) haven't already served there.

We'd be part of NATO, but our defence costs would be covered.

I think you misunderstand what 'Islamic' extremists are interested in targeting.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We could see a rejuvenated New IRA drawing Republicans from all corners of the island to violently fight against it.

If it was the expressed democratic will of the people I doubt there would be any significant reaction - you'll still have the headbangers but nothing except some kind of Marxist/Leninist north Atlantic state will ever satisfy them.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

The Queen would be our head of state.

Not necessarily - you'd assume if this did come to pass there would be a process of negotiation. It would be a deal breaker, I agree, but there's plenty of support for a republic in England, Scotland and Wales - so it's not impossible to imagine herself being relegated to something less relevant where the institution would have nothing to do with the governing of this new imaginary federation!

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

My local TDs voice would be diluted by having a larger core of politicians ( who would be mainly English and simply don't care about Ireland).

Should we join a union with Britain? GET DA FUK...!!!

An end to the parish pump politics that have plagued and retarded this country for generations? - no more getting the roads fixed, the medical card sorted, de Minister down to open the local supermarket / offlicence / garden shed etc. Government in the national interest sounds like a bad idea alright :rolleyes:

Easy enough to counter the mainly English parliament by setting up a strong upper house with each country given equal representation.

Jawgap · 20-09-2014 9:05am

Henry Sidney wrote: »

We don't want you anyway. Bad enough having the North, which we would gladly get rid of tomorrow, without taking the baggage of the South too.

It's really about time you stopped thinking we care about it to be honest. Stupid amount of UK related threads on here. Is there nothing else to talk about in Ireland?

If you don't like it then why don't you leave - have a referendum with yourself

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 20-09-2014 9:06am

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Maybe, maybe not, but if for the sake of argument someone did, how should they cast their vote?

Are the Christian Party? If there was a large core vote out there for a right wing Euro sceptic party I'm sure that space would be filled by someone, it's not though.

We do anyway. Admittedly we don't send them but there are a lot of Irish/Irish descent in UK forces.

Irish people fighting under the tricolour are not engaged in active combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. I like that, the Islamic extremists like that, everybody is happy.

Yep we'd lose that 5 yearly bumfest of the political parties putting up there favourite gob$shoite.

It's 7 years. I'd prefer having an Irish hobbit as our national figure head rather than an Anglo/German hobbit as our national figure head. :pac:

Donkey Oaty · 20-09-2014 9:08am

Jawgap wrote: »

Also, the NHS would have to replace the HSE

Reporter: Minister, is this true? What are your thoughts on health harmonisation?

Reply: "That would be an EU medical matter."

Omackeral · 20-09-2014 9:09am

Only if we can support their football teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Celtic.

diomed · 20-09-2014 9:12am

I've had enough of "the mainland, "British isles", "Paddies", "Micks".
I'll stay with the enormous debt and the begrudgery.

Colinf1212 · 20-09-2014 9:12am

FunLover18 wrote: »

6 replies and nobody's called anyone a West Brit

No point in saying it anymore. Too far gone.

Henry Sidney · 20-09-2014 9:13am

No to reject rejoining the Union

Jawgap wrote: »

If you don't like it then why don't you leave - have a referendum with yourself

I left.

Annasopra · 20-09-2014 9:13am

If it could a federal republic with Michael D as head of state and holding onto the Euro then yes!

Jawgap · 20-09-2014 9:15am

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

Irish people fighting under the tricolour are not engaged in active combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. I like that, the Islamic extremists like that, everybody is happy.

Really?

So this isn't a photo of ISAF Deputy Commander British Lt. Gen. Adrian Bradshaw presenting shamrocks to Irish service members at ISAF headquarters to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

http://www.strikehold.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/6989872337_555418eb06_b.jpg

Second guy in looks like he's wearing a Cavalry Corps beret?

billy111 · 20-09-2014 9:19am

Can you imagine the referendum posters. Kenny with a union jack tie. Martin mansergh head of elections.

jank · 20-09-2014 9:19am

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

That's simply not true. Politically the Irish are very pro European Union, the British on the other hand are one of the least and could potentially withdraw from it in the near future. Fine Gael are the most right of centre party in Ireland but would be seen as Lefties by the Conservatives. Our Labour Party is to the left of their Labour Party. Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are quite different to the Lib Dems.
Irish people don't want a Euro skeptic right wing government.

Instead we have a left wing Euroskeptic party in Sinn Fein

. Were we not asked to vote twice for Nice and Lisbon? Euroskepticism exists to a large degree in Ireland. Politically we are more aligned and close to Westminster than any other parliament in the world. We are more like the UK than anywhere in Europe, this is just plain fact.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We have the Common Travel Area which means there are no added conveniences to having a union with Britain.

Other than the Irish Republican dream of a united Ireland and closer economic and political ties to our nearest neighbour. Yes, would did the Romans ever do for us.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We would have to harmonise our corporation tax with the rest of the UK. Bye bye FDI!!!

This is where what type of federation would come into it. Ireland should be able to set its own tax rates but you ignore my point about the French having a go at Ireland regards this. Irish tax rates are already under threat. Perhaps a Union with Britain could safe guard Irish tax rates? Not as easy to bully.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We would have to send our troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. We would become a more legitimate target for Islamic extremists.

Well we must not at all upset those animals in the Middle East who behead people. I see appeasement is alive and well...

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We could see a rejuvenated New IRA drawing Republicans from all corners of the island to violently fight against it.

Like above, this would be a democratic process. Are we really afraid of a few thugs with guns?

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

The Queen would be our head of state.

Not necessarily and not a problem for NZ, Australia and Canada as well as a host of other nations. I would have thought we are over that insecurity.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

My local TDs voice would be diluted by having a larger core of politicians ( who would be mainly English and simply don't care about Ireland).

Again, depends on the make of a federation. Usually in a federation all parts get a equal say in the higher house like in the US Congress.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

Should we join a union with Britain? GET DA FUK...!!!

We are already in a union with Britain, its called the EU.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 20-09-2014 9:20am

Jawgap wrote: »

Simply not true - the Scots (are they not also British) are very pro-Europe, and the Welsh Cornish (are they not British) - moderately pro-Europe. The British are more than the 'Home Counties' parochial English.

True

Not true - the reforms proposed for the Scots include tax varying powers - the simple idea being that the Parliament in Edinburgh would have the power to set many of it's own taxes, with a the block grant being varied accordingly.

If anything that retained power combined with unfettered access to the financial services sector in London would boost FDI.

We would enjoy a shared defence that's true - but it's not like Irish men (including personnel from the PDF) haven't already served there.

We'd be part of NATO, but our defence costs would be covered.

I think you misunderstand what 'Islamic' extremists are interested in targeting.

If it was the expressed democratic will of the people I doubt there would be any significant reaction - you'll still have the headbangers but nothing except some kind of Marxist/Leninist north Atlantic state will ever satisfy them.

Not necessarily - you'd assume if this did come to pass there would be a process of negotiation. It would be a deal breaker, I agree, but there's plenty of support for a republic in England, Scotland and Wales - so it's not impossible to imagine herself being relegated to something less relevant where the institution would have nothing to do with the governing of this new imaginary federation!

An end to the parish pump politics that have plagued and retarded this country for generations? - no more getting the roads fixed, the medical card sorted, de Minister down to open the local supermarket / offlicence / garden shed etc. Government in the national interest sounds like a bad idea alright :rolleyes:

Easy enough to counter the mainly English parliament by setting up a strong upper house with each country given equal representation.

Could you just give me some real tangible benefits that Ireland would enjoy by joining the UK?

diomed · 20-09-2014 9:21am

I would give multiquoters their own country.

Teyla Emmagan · 20-09-2014 9:22am

No. They'd be all over here, trying to steal our fields. With their multi culturism.

The NHS would be nice though.

Henry Sidney · 20-09-2014 9:23am

No to reject rejoining the Union

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

Could you just give me some real tangible benefits that Ireland would enjoy by joining the UK?

more to the point, if the UK was supposedly asking Ireland to join the union, what would Ireland bring? What possible reason would we have other than a bail out?

Jawgap · 20-09-2014 9:30am

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

Could you just give me some real tangible benefits that Ireland would enjoy by joining the UK?

Well the NHS for a start - having had to put sick kids through both the NHS and the HSE, I know which system I prefer!

Free education - as in actually 'free' - not free with voluntary donations, fees for 'arts materials' etc

Proper accountability for politicians, utility companies, so called professionals and local administrators

Win a few medals at the Olympics

The roads......*

We wouldn't have to doff the cap and tug our national forelock at the German Chancellor or the French President and ask them nicely for more......

Plus, who is to say we wouldn't end up running the show? Historically, whatever country the Irish have travelled to, and whatever international institutions we've been a part of, we've always been pretty good at getting into and controlling the key positions of real power!

*I know it goes without saying

Gone Drinking · 20-09-2014 9:36am

Henry Sidney wrote: »

more to the point, if the UK was supposedly asking Ireland to join the union, what would Ireland bring? What possible reason would we have other than a bail out?

Have a look at this guys post history and please tell me why he hasn't been banned yet?

Jawgap · 20-09-2014 9:37am

Henry Sidney wrote: »

more to the point, if the UK was supposedly asking Ireland to join the union, what would Ireland bring? What possible reason would we have other than a bail out?

the third largest trade surplus in the EU?

It would offset just over 50% of the UK's record trade deficit

EDIT: and, apparently, an economy that's growing twice as fast as the 'mainland' economy; a current account surplus of nearly €3 billion (compared to the UK's current account deficit of stg£18.5 billion)

Colinf1212 · 20-09-2014 9:38am

Gone Drinking wrote: »

Have a look at this guys post history and please tell me why he hasn't been banned yet?

Why do you think? All his posts get likes too which is unsurprising. Lapdogs for any pro-British, anti-Irish comments on these boards.

Gone Drinking · 20-09-2014 9:43am

Colinf1212 wrote: »

Why do you think? All his posts get likes too which is unsurprising. Lapdogs for any pro-British, anti-Irish comments on these boards.

He's not bro-British or just anti-Irish:

Henry Sidney wrote: »

I would love to see Scotland vote yes, then ideally Wales and NI will follow and we will have got rid of all the junk little holes that we don't need.

Also its the manner in which he comments, hes obviously here purely to troll.

FTA69 · 20-09-2014 9:48am

Henry Sidney wrote: »

We don't want you anyway. Bad enough having the North, which we would gladly get rid of tomorrow,

Yeah they were so eager to get rid of the place they fought a 25 year conflict there with the aim of retaining sovereignty there.

Ghost Buster · 20-09-2014 9:50am

So long as we make Michael D King and the union is ruled from Ireland. That'd be a hoot

CZ 453 · 20-09-2014 9:56am

Relations are as good as they have ever been at the moment. No need for a union as we work so closely with the UK anyway. Just return the North to us when it is wanted by the majority of NI and we can afford it please

If the UK asked Ireland to rejoin the Union, how would you vote?

If the UK asked Ireland to rejoin the Union, how would you vote? 346 votes

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