How can we integrate Unionism into a possible United Ireland?

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567227#Comment_118567227

I seriously doubt we will have a new capital, it wouldn't make any sense, we might have a few new minor parties but the popular parties would remain the same for the foreseeable future anyway, we could change the flag if we wanted although there is certainly no obligation to do so, the flag we already have is perfect for a United Ireland, what many unionists don't know about the flag is that green represents Catholics, the orange represents protestants, and the white in the middle represents the peace between them.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567337#Comment_118567337

You think boards.ie is only for captain Harry the pilot like-minded people?

Boards is a discussion forum, there is no requirement related to creed nor political affiliation.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567177#Comment_118567177

Its the future that swung it for me. We have no future in the UK except being the poorest region in a country thats going to slowly lose its world status. We will forever be an English blame hound to order around as they see fit, lorded over by a succesion of toffs. The UK is a failed state founded to serve an empire that no longer exists. We are simply very different to England.

Better by far imo to be a bigger part of a forward looking modern country. Not saying it will be easy - but it will be worth it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567205#Comment_118567205

Well, since you didn't provide the link to the article, I've no idea when it was written.. could easily be out of date, considering just how much has changed in Europe since covid came along.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567227#Comment_118567227

Why should the Republic give up it's current identity?

It's like as if the Republic is supposed to be begging to be allowed to unify, all the while it also pays for unification...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567589#Comment_118567589

fwiw I personally wouldnt expect ROI to give up major items like flag, name or anthem. There will undoubtedly be some change though. The minor example I always think of is the requirement that all primary teachers must speak Irish - imo that wouldnt be practical to force on thousands of teachers in NI who cant speak Irish. There will be other areas Im sure. Somewhere between 26+6 and a brand new country.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567345#Comment_118567345

https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/system/files/2021-10/18102021_factograph_kosovo.pdf

Kosovo is an aspirant member and those so-called billions amount to around €110m per year. We won't get anything like that considering the basket case that is Kosovo.

Even if we did, €100m a year is a drop in the ocean of funding required.

What people need to realise is that even a drop of 15% in living standards in the South as a result of unification would still leave average living standards above the European average, so sympathy would be short supply, especially as we would have voted for it ourselves.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567337#Comment_118567337

Oh dearie me.

What's with all the Unionists on this thread?

Are they not allowed a voice?

As for those not admitting their Unionist backgrounds, I am a GAA-supporting Catholic Dub, but you probably have me down as a Unionist based on your peculiarly strange view of the world.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567668#Comment_118567668

Who said I was talking about you?

Lolz. So, either we're a Partitionist, or a Unionist if we don't agree with Harryd. Which is worse, or are they the same in your eyes?

Out of curiosity, what do you call someone who believes that we already have a Republic, our duty is to protect that Republic, and that NI is nowhere close to being ready for unification (socially/culturally/economically) without it dragging the Republic down? Is that still a partitionist or something different?

Furze99

• Complete new administration based on regions: Ulster, Leinster (minus greater Dublin), Dublin, Munster & Connacht. Regional assemblies with powers to raise tax and apply local legislation.
• Get rid of current local authorities
• Overarching state legislature, no Seanad. This body to rotate meetings around the five regions i.e. no capital per se with a state parliament.
• New flag
• New anthem
• New constitution
• English to be the official primary language of the state with Irish, Scots, Polish etc as secondary languages
• New spirit of co-operation and respect for all traditions on the island.

That'll do for starters and by the way, 80% of the electorate both sides of the border to be in favour.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567668#Comment_118567668

I have no problem with the unionists whatsoever, I said I have a problem with the unionists who are masquerading as people from the Republic in their pathetic attempts to drain support for unification, it's obvious really what's going on if you read the whole thread.

They have even been arguing that a study I linked on Unification, a study taken by some of the greatest experts from around the world, a study that has received widespread international praise, they are claiming the study is little more than a load of crap, they're claiming this with no evidence apart from their own economic expertise.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-30726299.html

Max001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567763#Comment_118567763

You're talking about a federal system and what you've outlined has a lot of merit.

Starting from a clean sheet of paper, but borrowing from best practice elsewhere sounds like a plan.

Max001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567506#Comment_118567506

The UK needs better leadership. To become what it has the potential to be. Don't forget. It's still the fifth or sixth largest economy in the world. It has a stable system of government. It has a largely stable climate. It attracts a lot of inward investment. English is the international language of business, trade and travel. Its one of only five nuclear armed states in the Nuclear NPT. It has a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. And so on. What is holding it back is extremely poor leadership. We've had a particularly bad run of late. Bliar (intentional spelling), Brown, Cameron & Boris. A complete f**king disaster. All of them. I agree. The English are hard to take at times. If we could sweep away all the privileges of class and work towards a more meritocratic system, it would go a long way to improving our economic growth.

Don't forget. At the close of World War 2, the UK was bankrupt and exhausted by six years of total war. We got no Marshall Aid and the b**tard Americans refused to write off our debt, which we had to keep repaying until very recently. The Americans did everything they could, when they became more interventionist following the establishment of the Monroe Doctrine, to undermine the Empire. Personally, I think the UK did extremely well, to transform itself into a modern economy only a couple of decades after WWII, considering all the handicaps. We needed oil to do it. But that's the luck of the draw.

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567361#Comment_118567361

Why not a new Capital? I doubt that Belfast would like Dublin to call all the shots. The flag in theory represents both sides but over the years has come to solely represent the Irish Republic. How about this?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567941#Comment_118567941

Has to be the true capital of Ireland, g’on Cork.

I’m not so sure St George’s Cross on an Irish flag will go down well with the Shinners.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567941#Comment_118567941

True, I would be more than happy to make Belfast the Capital as a gesture to the Unionists and also the change the flag, I think changing the flag would be a good way of welcoming the Unionists.

Dickie10

a change to Belfast wouldnt bother me either, and the flag defintley has to change.

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567960#Comment_118567960

St George's Cross?

Cork for the Capital!

saabsaab

The flag of Ulster came about when Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster became earl of the Earldom of Ulster in 1264. He merged the de Burgh family heraldry, which was a red cross on a yellow background with that of the Red Hand of Ulster of the Irish over-kingdom of Ulaid, which the earldom encompassed.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568060#Comment_118568060

I'm sure we would work something out, maybe meet somewhere in the middle.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568024#Comment_118568024

Both would bother me. Neither the flag or the capital of the Republic should be changed. I have ancestors who fought for our independence, and I won't stand for giving up what they fought for. Bugger that.

Honestly, I will oppose any such attempts to change the identity of the Republic.

This is not the Republic joining NI, with cap in hand. This is NI joining the Republic. If it was to happen at all... which I seriously doubt. NI is not ready for unification. Let them sort out their own problems first.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568139#Comment_118568139

Fair enough but you seem to be forgetting that your ancestors also fought to free all of this country, not just 26 counties, they fought for all the men, women and children of this country.

Judging by your posting history on this thread you seem to be more on in favour of the current partition than unification, you seem to express strong doubt and indifference to an independent Ireland, which I'm sure your ancestors would have cared far more about than trivial things like flags and where the capital is.

Dickie10

i think when it comes to it, the majority of citizens in republic would vote against unification.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568250#Comment_118568250

Well then you're deluded, every party in the Republic say they support unification and all polls say the people do too, it would receive next to no opposition here in the Republic, next to one would be arguing against it and once we got to genuine debate about a future referendum then a yes vote would get overwhelming votes.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568276#Comment_118568276

Harry, there was an Ipsos poll done at the end of 2021, the results support your view that there is significant support from the ROI public when asked if they would like to see unification. But tellingly, the same poll showed that people are also unwilling to bear the financial burden that could come with unity, with 79% saying they would “not accept” higher taxes, while another 79% said they were opposed if it meant less money to spend on public services.

So unless unification comes free of charge, a huge majority are not interested in the prospect of a united Ireland. You are deluded if you think the ROI electorate will prioritise a romantic vision of a united Ireland over cash in their pocket, that is crystal clear from the poll results.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568380#Comment_118568380

That's rubbish, phrase any question with the term "would you pay more taxes" then you are going to get a different answer completely. Ask someone a question saying "would you be in favour of stopping world hunger", I'm sure they would all say yes. Ask them again saying "would you be in favour of stopping world hunger if it meant paying more taxes" then you will get a different answer completely. Asking someone a question saying would they pay more taxes while not giving them any idea in how much tax and not engaging in even a slight discussion whatsoever then that question holds no merit.

Nobody would oppose a United Ireland, all the parties are in favour of it, it would receive no opposition.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568421#Comment_118568421

So the poll should ask if you support unification, but not ask if you are willing to pay for the cost of unification?

Surely you understand that before voting on unification, the people of ROI will be asking “How are we going to pay for this/will I have to pay?”

79% of those polled said they will be opposed to unification if it means that it will cost them. It is pretty clear where their priorities lie.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568437#Comment_118568437

So how does that work then, if there was a referendum planned and you asked them if they would vote for it I'm certain they would say yes, it's obvious we would have to pay slightly more taxes after unification.

What about all the polls done during the troubles which all showed at least 80 percent of people wanting unification, They never asked them would they vote for it if they had to pay more taxes, but it would have been obvious back in those days of the 70s, 80s and 90s that they would have had to pay more taxes.

If you ask any question in a poll focusing on a small aspect of what the question actually means then that would unfairly influence the answer, the question is automatically focusing on a negative, when there are numerous different factors.

The question is asking them would they pay more taxes, people could automatically assume this to mean an extravagant amount of taxes that could destroy their livelihoods, an answer to a question like that in no way effects how they would vote in a referendum.

The first question, simply asking people a straight question do they want unification showed over 70% of people saying yes, this figure is far more accurate in how people would vote for a referendum.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568226#Comment_118568226

Fair enough but you seem to be forgetting that your ancestors also fought to free all of this country, not just 26 counties, they fought for all the men, women and children of this country.

My ancestors fought in the War of Independence, but the also fought in the Civil war, being pro-Treaty (although I have other family connections who were anti-treaty). They understood that the treaty was the best opportunity for an independent Irish State... and that's what they fought for in the end. Not this delusional idea that it would be better to fight forever until the whole Island was united. I can remember both my grandfathers talking about it, and with regret, acknowledging that they got the best available outcome in the end. God knows, NI isn't close to being united with the rest of Ireland considering the range of divisions that exist.

Judging by your posting history on this thread you seem to be more on in favour of the current partition than unification, you seem to express strong doubt and indifference to an independent Ireland, which I'm sure your ancestors would have cared far more about than trivial things like flags and where the capital is.

You really have little idea what my ancestors wanted, just as you're taking a particular slant on my posts to the thread. I would like to see unification happen. However. I do not like the price that is involved.

Yeah, I know your argument from before, but I'm not even close to being convinced that your study was accurate, and simple common sense about the economic state of NI, suggests that it would require serious investment over an extended period of time before coming in line with the rest of Europe. Likely it would remain like West Galway (or other poor regions), needing supplements to remain afloat (but needing far more from the State). Then, there are the range of social problems due to it being so fragmented, with so many different interests all of which connect with strong emotions. Too much violence, and bitterness for them to truly move on, and put it all behind themselves. At least for this generation anyway.

I do want a united Ireland, but I don't want to see the Republic dragged into the **** because of it. The Irish economy is not as impressive as many seem to want to make it out to be. Money doesn't magically appear.. and the Irish economy is far too reliant on various industries which are vulnerable to changes in the European or World markets... which is exasperated due to the America, which has it's own serious problems. There are already definite problems with a wide range of Irish services (Health, in particular).. along with other social issues that should be resolved, but there simply isn't the revenue to deal with them effectively (even during the boom times), and so, they're pushed further back, worsening as they go. The unification with NI could easily drain revenue away from these services, drastically decreasing what is available to Irish people.... and for what?

I've seen the bile that tends to come out on threads relating to Northern Ireland, Unionists, the IRA, or whatever. Virtually every thread I've seen on boards has ended up in the gutter, with a wide range of bitching and moaning.. and that's without much involvement by Royalists, or Unionists. Then there's the manner that politics occurs in the North, and that's not going to magically disappear if unification happens. I have friends who live in the North, have spent time with then, and listened to their arguments over politics and/or history, and it's horrible. No. No. No. We don't need that **** here, and it's not going to end, just because we're supposedly united. If anything, unification is likely to increase the friction between groups.

No. There are still far too many drawbacks to unification for my taste. When those detractors have been resolved, then, I'll happily support a United Ireland... but I'm not going to sacrifice the economic and social stability of this country, for the sake of some romantic notion that we should be one Island. So, yeah.. I'll oppose a United Ireland until it makes sense to do it.. and when it benefits both states.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568276#Comment_118568276

Limited polls suggest 57% support it.. but that's without any promotions being done to reveal the facts on the matter. 43% leaves a lot of scope for opposition.

The political parties are indeed supportive of it, but as most Irish people have seen, the political parties often have agendas that don't have the welfare of Irish people in mind. People aren't going to automatically vote for unification just because the parties tell them to.

Once campaigners get into the swing of it, with the many different groups (for/against) promoting their views, and the facts... anything could happen, although I suspect unification would fail, simply because people are aware of just how expensive this country is already getting, and unification would increase taxation significantly, both direct and indirect. People will probably think with their bank accounts in mind, once the initial guilt trip over refusing unification happens.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568602#Comment_118568602

That's one poll, most polls show around 70 percent, no one apart from the partitionists on boards are seriously claiming that the Republic are going to vote no in a referendum.

If a debate on the matter about an upcoming referendum happened and we started to seriously think about a United Ireland it would undoubtedly pass overwhelmingly, all political parties say they support unification, it's extremely unlikely people will all vote against their parties and vote against a United Ireland.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568578#Comment_118568578

It makes no difference what side of the treaty your ancestors were on.

The treaty made the 26 counties leave the UK but didn't let them leave the British empire, it also partitioned the island. This is not what your ancestors fought for. They simply seen the treaty as a way forward to achieving their original goal of a 32 county Republic free from British rule, no one went along with the treaty because they wanted to be part of the British empire and wanted a partition.

I would find what you are saying to make much more sense if you weren't so concerned about changing the flag of Ireland because your ancestors fought for it, but want to deny them what they were actually fighting for, a 32 county Republic, your ancestors cared far more about that than the flag.

I'm absolutely certain that if your ancestors were in the IRA and your not just making this up, then what they fought for was a 32 county Republic free from British rule, unless they were British spies? What do you think your ancestors would say to you now about you wanting to deny what they fought for because your worried about a few extra pennies in your pocket?

NONE OF THEM VOTED FOR THE TREATY BECAUSE THEY WANTED A PARTITION.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568226#Comment_118568226

My ancestors lived in caves and fought over food, should I follow them too?

Anyone who is for a united Ireland because some ancestors fought for it is living in the far distant past. It doesn’t matter what they fought for, it matters what I think is best now.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568770#Comment_118568770

You clearly haven't read the previous posts so you shouldn't just butt in not having a clue what you're on about, the reason for him saying there is no way he would change the flag is because his ancestors fought for it in the war of independence, yet he wants to deny them what they actually fought for, a 32 county Republic because he's worried about a few extra pennies in his pocket.

Please read the posts before you comment, his staunchly Republican comments on the Irish flag do not correlate with him advocating against a United Ireland for the whole thread, ironically he actually stated this as one of his oppositions to unification, he probably doesn't even really mean what he said, he clearly has an agenda against unification.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568679#Comment_118568679

Harry, 79% of people in a recent poll said they would said no if they have to contribute to the cost. You keep referring to a study on unification of Germany, the Germans have had a unification tax for 30 yrs.

Why do you keep saying that there will be no opposition in the South to unification? That poll shows that on the issue of cost alone, 79% of people would outright oppose it.

That poll shows that people may like the idea of a unified Ireland, but will not contribute to the cost. So in practical terms, there is no hope of a yes vote. I have been saying this to you all along, people here care more about issues that affect them directly, and increased taxation is most certainly one of them.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118568790#Comment_118568790

Please read the posts before you comment, his staunchly Republican comments on the Irish flag do not correlate with him advocating against a United Ireland for the whole thread, ironically he actually stated this as one of his oppositions to unification, he probably doesn't even really mean what he said, he clearly has an agenda against unification.

You see being a Republican as being an all or nothing affair. I don't.

As for my "agenda" I wrote a long post explaining my position, you dismissed it entirely. You haven't sought to understand or appreciate any view other than your own.

I'm not going to waste more time trying to explain my stance to you, since you're obviously unwilling to tolerate other points of view.

Harryd225

Right well we'll have to agree to disagree, I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting only 20% of people are going to vote for unification.

This is clearly a Unionist misunderstanding, no one in the Republic seriously thinks that a vote on unification would be rejected in the Republic. All the political parties are in favour of it and claim they would support it, they would convince the public easily to vote yes a referendum once the debate leading to an upcoming referendum starts. It's far different from asking people completely out of the blue if they want to pay more taxes.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118569562#Comment_118569562

I think it is clear from that poll that only 20% would support it if it meant they had to pay increased taxes as a result of unification. It’s all about the money Harry.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118569570#Comment_118569570

It's all about the money when you ask people a question out of the blue if they want to pay more taxes, going into no detail whatsoever about what this actually means. People are thinking about their livelihoods, they are thinking would I still be able to survive with these extra taxes, I'm surprised more people didn't say no to that question. The vast majority of people answered yes when asked a simple question about wether they want unification.

The question makes no sense it goes into no detail about how much tax, would people be willing to pay an extra few euro in tax to facilitate a United Ireland? I'm sure they would. Would be people be willing to pay an extravagant amount of tax that would destroy their livelihoods? I doubt it.

If they had made that clear in the question then I would take the results of the poll seriously.

starkid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567361#Comment_118567361

thats what the flag means to you and people in the Republic. Thats not what it means to Unionism.

A joint capital might be the way forward.

There will have to be concessions.

Anybody who thinks its going to be a Republic of Ireland with NI tacked on is seriously deluded and in this case, toxic to reunification.

starkid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567589#Comment_118567589

why should NI and Unionists give up their identity?

Do you see the conundrum?

Thats why there will most likely have to be compromises. Even SF have said this will be the case.

Can people not get it through their heads. its a toxic position to take if you want a reunified country. if you don't, fair enough. a Republic of Ireland with a tacked on NI won't happen. its not a United Ireland if you discount nearly a million people in the plans.

Flags, anthems, joint capitals, symbols, a southern aknowledgement of the battle of the boyne with a day off or some shite, allwoing unionists have dual citizenship, and so much more.

imo its not going to happen any time soon. its as deeply engrained as Palestine problem, as Russian distrust of the west. it will take another few generations to remove the hate and bitterness.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118569642#Comment_118569642

Ahh well, I didn't say that they should, and in fact, earlier in the thread, I said that Unionists would fight to retain their identity even should unification occur.

imo its not going to happen any time soon. its as deeply engrained as Palestine problem, as Russian distrust of the west. it will take another few generations to remove the hate and bitterness.

Agreed. I also think there should be more efforts to bring NI and the Republic closer in terms of culture and expectations, because most people I've spoken to, see NI as a very different culture than that of those in the Republic.

NI needs to get it's house in order first. It's really that simple. There are too many negatives for unification, but those negatives could be countered or minimized over time, rather than rushing into unification.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118569687#Comment_118569687

You are vastly overestimating the amount of differences between the protestants in the North and the rest of Ireland, apart from their protestant religion and the orange order there are little to no differences between us, I'm assuming you're only talking about the Unionists as I don't see how anyone could claim the people of Derry or South Armagh are any less culturally Irish to the rest of us, with the exception of Belfast, which is similar to Dublin in it's massive difference to the rest of Ireland, there's no real difference.

Max001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118569865#Comment_118569865

Harry. Have you ever been to Northern Ireland. I mean apart from 100% Roman Catholic estates like the Ardoyne. Or a black taxi tour ?

If you'd spent any time in Northern Ireland, mixing with a cross section of both communities, you would never, ever have just written what you did. You have not got one clue about the myriad of differences between the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland and the people of the Republic of Ireland.

I'll give you one example. I could give you hundreds. Of all kinds. And my examples show just how completely ill informed and delusional you are. You made me laugh. Because either you're a teen, who barely knows anything about anything. Or, you're literally living in some kind of mental fantasy land and have never stepped off Craggy Island.

My examples. I'll give you two. Like elsewhere in the UK. Religion and formal religious attendances are decreasing. You simply don't see the massive attendances here that you see weekly in churches across the Republic. Or, rather you do. But, only in Roman Catholic churches.

The Orange Order. The Orange Order is as relevant to the average Protestant, whether living in Northern Ireland or amongst the diaspora who left because of The Troubles, as ........old episodes of Scooby Doo.

My friends from all over the Republic regard Northern Ireland as very different and Northern Irish people as incredibly different. And my friends are highly educated, cultured professionals, who travel widely and often. Not least to Northern Ireland. They would also laugh at your statement. Don't forget Harry. I've lived and worked in all three capitals. Belfast, Dublin and Cork.

I'm not going to debate this with you Harry. Its a very bad use of my time. It would be like debating that the world is round. With a flat earther. Either you're clueless. Or you're being deliberately disingenuous. I believe a bit of both. Based on the terminology you use.

In fact, your comments here, remind me of some of the older stall holders that I used to know, in the English Market in Cork. People I got to know well and talked to for hours. People who hadn't been to Northern Ireland since the 1960's. Or, the people I met in County Clare who were burned out of their homes in Belfast in the 1970's and had never been back since. They also thought, we should all just get along, if Paisley and his crowd and the Orange Order would just calm their heels or go away.

Yes, London, Dublin and Stormont all agree that a united Island is inevitable. Unionist agree. Maybe mostly in private. I don't know what they've said lately. But is anyone taking an practical steps beyond those mandated in the Good Friday Agreement or N.I. Protocol?

I very much doubt it. The report you keep citing is meaningless. It suggests an economic uplift to both countries. But it neglects to define the cost. Much of which would be borne early on.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118569615#Comment_118569615

What makes you think people will give in-depth thought to the vote? The three most pertinent considerations will be:

1. Do I want unification?
2. Is this going to cost me money?
3. Which is more important to me, 1 or 2.

The recent poll shows the answer to question 2 was the deciding factor, even after asking answering positively to question 1.

This comes as absolutely no surprise to me.

Harryd225

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118570349#Comment_118570349

I'm not going to argue this with you any further, no one anywhere apart from yourself is seriously suggesting that a vote on unification is going to be rejected by 80% of people in the Republic.

As I said, the poll was asking random people out of the blue if they wanted to pay more taxes, I myself probably would have said no in this poll as I would have had to consider would I still be able to make ends meet.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118570406#Comment_118570406

I am not suggesting anything, I am telling you that in a recent poll carried out by Ipsos, 79% were opposed to unification if it was going to cost them.

Will I make ends meet. That is precisely the consideration people will have when voting for unification. Harry, you simply cannot, no matter how deluded you are, state that there will be no cost for Irish people, associated with unification. Those polled were not asked if they wanted to pay more tax, and the question did not come out of the blue, it was asked in relation to unification.

What are you basing your opinion on support for unification on? Guesswork? Or are you going to point to polling results?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118570339#Comment_118570339

I'm not going to debate this with you Harry. Its a very bad use of my time. It would be like debating that the world is round. With a flat earther. Either you're clueless. Or you're being deliberately disingenuous. I believe a bit of both. Based on the terminology you use.

Spot on. Exactly how I feel about his posts/responses.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118567763#Comment_118567763

Never going to work. A romantic delusion belonging in the past.

If there is to be a federal solution it will be the Federal Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with the six counties retaining their current autonomy, and maybe more.