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Child Item

Northern Ireland question for under 40s

BattyInNZ

I'm specific on the age because my younger sister and son told me yesterday that 'under 40s' in the Republic don't care about Northern Ireland, don't care about our history, north or south, and pretty much don't care about most things related to Ireland as a nation/country/culture etc.etc.

Thoughts please - I'm desperately hoping they're wrong but if they're right I now know why the politicians in this country can get away with anything and everything!

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Winterlong

BattyInNZ wrote: »

II'm desperately hoping they're wrong but if they're right I now know why the politicians in this country can get away with anything and everything!

I think this line may bias any answers you receive!

gramar

As I meet the age requirement I can tell you that personally I don't have much interest nor never really had in Northern Ireland. I remember it on the news almost every night as child but though it was happening within a few hours drive it may as well have been the other side of the world.

kunst nugget

BattyInNZ wrote: »

I'm specific on the age because my younger sister and son told me yesterday that 'under 40s' in the Republic don't care about Northern Ireland, don't care about our history, north or south, and pretty much don't care about most things related to Ireland as a nation/country/culture etc.etc.

Just about fit into the age group that you're talking about. You're asking a lot of questions that don't really have one simple answer. While I'm interested in our history and our culture, I wouldn't really be interested in Ireland being a united country at the moment. It would just lead to more misery and another outbreak of terrorist activities.

BattyInNZ wrote: »

Thoughts please - I'm desperately hoping they're wrong but if they're right I now know why the politicians in this country can get away with anything and everything!

Just because I have no interest in a United Ireland doesn't mean I'm happy to let the politicians in the Republic do whatever they want. It's a bit of a silly assumption tbh.

elefant

BattyInNZ wrote: »

I'm specific on the age because my younger sister and son told me yesterday that 'under 40s' in the Republic don't care about Northern Ireland, don't care about our history, north or south, and pretty much don't care about most things related to Ireland as a nation/country/culture etc.etc.

Thoughts please - I'm desperately hoping they're wrong but if they're right I now know why the politicians in this country can get away with anything and everything!

Yeah, they're wrong.

Not sure what that has to do with your closing statement though.

VinLieger

BattyInNZ wrote: »

I'm specific on the age because my younger sister and son told me yesterday that 'under 40s' in the Republic don't care about Northern Ireland, don't care about our history, north or south, and pretty much don't care about most things related to Ireland as a nation/country/culture etc.etc.

Thoughts please - I'm desperately hoping they're wrong but if they're right I now know why the politicians in this country can get away with anything and everything!

I care that they get on with their lives and stop bothering me with their ridiculous petty arguments and that goes for both sides. I owe nobody up there any loyalty.

Also your last line is just stupid.

swimming in a sea

Not sure what you mean by don't care. As I care as much about NI peoples history as I care about Cork peoples history which ain't much.

But if this thread goes down the line of do people in the republic want NI to join I think the answer from me would be I don't care but if it costs me €1 of my own money then no would be the answer.

Agricola

I care in as far as I want peace up there along with free travel and trade across the border. The more people down here that travel up there, do business and vice versa, the better it is for everyone and for the future.

But I don't care about Irish reunification. Unlike Scottish unionists who I believe would eventually get behind a winning independance vote, the same could not be said of Northern unionists in a border poll. It would be a catastrophe in every way and the economic side of it would be the least of the problems. Lets just all get along.

Chips Lovell

In my experience, it's the opposite. Young people, who don't remember the Troubles, are the ones who've romantic notions about uniting Ireland. Older people, who do remember, are far more wary.

Widdershins

I'm under 40 and do care. I don't have definite opinions on a united Ireland because, well, it's very complicated.

VinLieger

Jep Gambardella wrote: »

In my experience, it's the opposite. Young people, who don't remember the Troubles, are the ones who've romantic notions about uniting Ireland. Older people, who do remember, are far more wary.

For me its completely the opposite usually.

I find young people I think are more pragmatic about the economy and the cost of reunification whereas older people like you say have the memories.

And then you obviously have part of both groups the starry eyed nationalists who get a tear in their eye thinking about it. I think though that its a minority in both groups and is becoming more and more so as we are getting closer to at least a vote on it being a reality and the facts around it are setting in as regards costs, security, political upheaval etc

I actually think those people are the people who shout for unification at all costs and are quite simply incredibly selfish. Im under no illusion its definitely going to happen eventually however why can't we wait and make sure its done right so as we create a stronger country instead of throwing both of us inevitably back down into recession which would definitely happen if we reunified tomorrow as right now the south simply cannot afford the money pit that the north currently is.

Birneybau

Meh to be honest.

FTA69

I'm under 40 and was heavily involved in Republicanism at one stage. I still passionately believe in Irish unity but it has to be based in a general overhaul of how both states are run; it's about the political and economic systems we have and alternatives to them which interest me primarily. As Bernadette McAliskey said recently, if unity entails a single state run by the gobsh*tes we currently have in power in both parts of Ireland then they can keep it.

OfflerCrocGod

I don't see why the Republic wouldn't want a UI, people can see short term costs but can't see the long term benefits?

How many Protestants in the Republic are agitating for the country to be run by London? In two generations it will be the same in the north, talking about partitioning the island again would have you treated like a lunatic.

doolox

With the subvention and the existence of a very large public service NI would be a drain on the Souths existing tax arrangements and would cost southern taxpayers more, which most are not able or willing to pay. There would have to be a radical shake up in political arrangements on both sides before a political union of any sort could be realised.

Where would the capital of the New state be located?

Would it be a president or some sort of King/Queen?

How many reps North and South? By population or some other base?

Senate or Upper house how would that be arranged? Would the republican South tolerate Lords, Peerages etc and would the North tolerate a non noble president?

Would any of our 1937 constitution or their 1920 Govt of Ireland Act be kept on in the new arrangements or would a completely new set of Laws and constitution be needed? This would stir up old divisions and hatreds and would costs billions to formulate and implement. Who would pay for all this.

What would happen to the "special position" of religion in Ireland??

A huge question which is starting to be moved on in the South with the scandals of the Catholic Church forcing a radical rethink among the people of the South and increasing secularisation being seen as the way forward. Has a similar process taken place in the North?

BattyInNZ

kunst nugget wrote: »

Just about fit into the age group that you're talking about. You're asking a lot of questions that don't really have one simple answer. While I'm interested in our history and our culture, I wouldn't really be interested in Ireland being a united country at the moment. It would just lead to more misery and another outbreak of terrorist activities.

Just because I have no interest in a United Ireland doesn't mean I'm happy to let the politicians in the Republic do whatever they want. It's a bit of a silly assumption tbh.

I didn't mention a United Ireland - I meant Northern Ireland in general - as a part of the Island of Ireland

BattyInNZ

elefant wrote: »

Yeah, they're wrong.

Not sure what that has to do with your closing statement though.

Apathy & Lethargy

BattyInNZ

swimming in a sea wrote: »

Not sure what you mean by don't care. As I care as much about NI peoples history as I care about Cork peoples history which ain't much.

But if this thread goes down the line of do people in the republic want NI to join I think the answer from me would be I don't care but if it costs me €1 of my own money then no would be the answer.

Not talking about a United Ireland and my last line was about general 'don't care about anything' attitude.

VinLieger

BattyInNZ wrote: »

I didn't mention a United Ireland - I meant Northern Ireland in general - as a part of the Island of Ireland

We have our own problems people don't go round wondering whats happening next door every hour of the day.

Feisar

I'm glad there is equality in Northern Ireland now, other than that I'm not bothered.

I'm as Irish as a 10-10-20 bag full of turf however I don't spend my time worrying over which bunch of clowns is in power in NI or the Republic either for that matter.

infogiver

BattyInNZ wrote: »

I'm specific on the age because my younger sister and son told me yesterday that 'under 40s' in the Republic don't care about Northern Ireland, don't care about our history, north or south, and pretty much don't care about most things related to Ireland as a nation/country/culture etc.etc.

Thoughts please - I'm desperately hoping they're wrong but if they're right I now know why the politicians in this country can get away with anything and everything!

My daughter is 20 and she certainly doesn't care about NI, she and all but one of her friends are Europeans at best, who just happen to live in the Ireland part of Europe, our specific history culture etc is of no interest to them, that's it really.

Your Face

Its a biased question in the following way:

You equate not caring about the North to not caring about history.
Bad start there.

PhuckHugh

Jep Gambardella wrote: »

In my experience, it's the opposite. Young people, who don't remember the Troubles, are the ones who've romantic notions about uniting Ireland. Older people, who do remember, are far more wary.

And how did the troubles begin ? One element of it was the people in the south essentially turned their back on their northern brethren and left them to the devices of mobs/B-Specials/gerrymandering ...

We very much contributed to the troubles by letting our own people to rot- The older people should be reminded of it everyday.

wakka12

I have different answers for some of your questions, Im 21. I care about Irelands culture, I speak irish fluently, Im interested in our heritage and history. Id like to visit northern ireland and get to know its cities a bit better sometime, when I can. So I'care ' about northern ireland to some extent just not regarding the aspect you're concerned with. But i cant say I care too much about whether Ireland becomes a united country or not , I don't really see any advantage to it what so ever

Also Id agree with what your sister and son said. I would also be of the opinion that most young people don't care about Irelands culture or history. Its just not a big part of modern lifestyle. This is not unique to Ireland though I think most young people from other european countries are the same way

Tayschren

Most over 40s dont give a flying feck about the mess up north either. . its the whiney accent, its just grating

I love Sean nos

OfflerCrocGod wrote: »

...the long term benefits?

Such as?

jmayo

OfflerCrocGod wrote: »

I don't see why the Republic wouldn't want a UI, people can see short term costs but can't see the long term benefits?

Ehh what are all these long term benefits ?

Most people, an especially politicians, worry about the short term because that is what they are living in.

PhuckHugh wrote: »

And how did the troubles begin ? One element of it was the people in the south essentially turned their back on their northern brethren and left them to the devices of mobs/B-Specials/gerrymandering ...

We very much contributed to the troubles by letting our own people to rot- The older people should be reminded of it everyday.

And this is exactly why I don't really want a United Ireland.
Both sides have enough with chips on their shoulders, we don't need them and the associated costs to us in finance and possibly even in lives.

The above mindset is the very one that complains that Lynch should have invaded the North and dragged the Republic into am actual war with Britain, which would have destroyed the Republic however pathetic and backwards as it was.

Some people also fail to remember sinn fein and PIRA refused to recognise the legitimacy of the Republic, long before they all became peace advocates.

DEFTLEFTHAND

infogiver wrote: »

My daughter is 20 and she certainly doesn't care about NI, she and all but one of her friends are Europeans at best, who just happen to live in the Ireland part of Europe, our specific history culture etc is of no interest to them, that's it really.

I notice this with my sister who is 21.

I asked her about Martin McGuinness when I saw her over the weekend and I just got a blank stare, it dawned on me that she didn't even know who he was. I've probed her on other political issues before and have been left dumbfounded at the lack of basic knowledge.

She'd have zero affinity with Europe also. I suppose in fairness that's common enough on these islands. We don't tend to identify as 'European'.

She's a bright girl otherwise, just seems to have a total apathy for politics.

A Little Pony

If a United Ireland ever happened it would completely rip up the Irish state and everything would be changed. The flag, the anthem, the government, the system of government (Northern representation in the North, and not just in the South), the health service, social security, the police, the Army, opt out for Irish or British citizenship if so desired, so many things.

I only know the basics of Southern politics but I live like 28 mile from Dundalk but it might as well be a thousand miles. I'd love to know what it is generally like living in the Republic, what is the daily political discussions, is the health service good etc.

VinLieger

A Little Pony wrote: »

I'd love to know what it is generally like living in the Republic,

Ahhh pony....... never change, you're feigned ignorance never ceases to provide amusement

PhuckHugh

jmayo wrote: »

Ehh what are all these long term benefits ?

Most people, an especially politicians, worry about the short term because that is what they are living in.

And this is exactly why I don't really want a United Ireland.
Both sides have enough with chips on their shoulders, we don't need them and the associated costs to us in finance and possibly even in lives.

The above mindset is the very one that complains that Lynch should have invaded the North and dragged the Republic into am actual war with Britain, which would have destroyed the Republic however pathetic and backwards as it was.

Some people also fail to remember sinn fein and PIRA refused to recognise the legitimacy of the Republic, long before they all became peace advocates.

The problem begin in 1922 and was exasperated between then and the 50s - All long before the crisis faced by Lynch.