[Deleted User] wrote: » Certainly cant be any worse,by any metric NI has failed as a state Powersharing deosnt work,geos years on end without sitting....time to pull the plug and admit last 100 odd years has been a failure (when meanwhile the free state has prospered,beyond recognition in same timeframe) Time has run out on the union,demographics has seen to it
BloodyBill wrote: » As a Southerner that bit about the free state prospering beyond recognition is incorrect. Around 1916 we were the 11th richest country in the world. We weren't in the 50s 60s 70s or 80s. I can tell you that. Where I'm from we needed snorkles driving the car for fear of falling into a pothole. Things are ok now but didnt we go insolvent a few years ago. Now if your a civil servant in Ireland you're on the pigs back but for the rest of us lifes as hard or soft as anywhere in the UK.
Deleted User wrote: » Certainly cant be any worse,by any metric NI has failed as a state Powersharing deosnt work,geos years on end without sitting....time to pull the plug and admit last 100 odd years has been a failure (when meanwhile the free state has prospered,beyond recognition in same timeframe) Time has run out on the union,demographics has seen to it
BloodyBill wrote: » As a Southerner that bit about the free state prospering beyond recognition is incorrect.
RobMc59 wrote: » I never claimed haughey was Taoiseach at that time,i said the British did`nt want to negotiate with him over the anglo-irish agreement in the early 80`s as he was untrustworthy and a known colluder with terrorists. Please keep up.
jm08 wrote: » There is a documentary on RTE at the moment, called 'The Irish Revolution'. This documentary is a production by UCC and RTE, so not to be dismissed. Last week the episode was on the period around 1916. In it they mention that the slums of Dublin were even worse than those in Calcutta! Here is a link to it: https://www.rte.ie/player/series/the-irish-revolution/SI0000004888?epguid=IP000064890 We Lived in Dreams is the one around 1916.
jm08 wrote: » One funny thing he says that when they were working on it in a bunker in Belfast which they knew was bugged, when they really wanted the British to take note of something, they would speak in Irish! He said the British spooks got very good with the Irish language.
downcow wrote: » I always think it’s funny when Irish talk about how they hoodwinked the British security. Do you really think, given the level of spying, the major wars, etc the brits were involved in worldwide, that a few paddy’s who had zero experience of such would lead them a-dance. You are simply emphasising how effective the brits were at convincing the Irish that they had fell for their pretty basic predictable tactic. ...but sure if it makes you feel better.
jm08 wrote: » You are right when you say the British didn't want to negotiate, but Haughey was not the obstacle (in fact, from what I have gleaned Maggie & Haughey actually got on quite well together). Haughey pissed off the British because he manouvred the EU countries to support the unification of Germany (which was strongly objected to by the UK and France) when Ireland had the Presidency of the EU. I strongly recommend you read this podcast which is an interview with a former Irish diplomat (Michael Lillis) who was running the Anglo-Irish Agreement negotiations on behalf of Ireland. In it, he explains how it came about (pushed by Whitehall civil service) because as he said, they were unhappy that the only place that British soldiers were getting killed, was in the UK.https://soundcloud.com/an-irishman-abroad/michael-lillis-episode-339 I'd strongly recommend that a few others here like Blanch etc. also listened to it. One funny thing he says that when they were working on it in a bunker in Belfast which they knew was bugged, when they really wanted the British to take note of something, they would speak in Irish! He said the British spooks got very good with the Irish language.
Lord Fairlord wrote: » Around 1916 Dublin had some of the worst slums to be found among western European cities.
Randy Archer wrote: » He has a point though. It’s for the Shinners to explain how the status quo will realistically be broken and what kind of United Ireland they set to propose . Not one single statement has being made by them here to support their claims . All we get, as per usual, is whataboutry and even some degree of an attempt was made it only went as far as a bland but questionable claim that NI would be prosperous under a UI There comments also do absolutely nothing to entice moderate Unionists either ,who will be needed to push it over the line, in the North Reeks of the “breed the proddies out , up the ra” to anyone else
maccored wrote: » its not up to the shinners to outline what a UI is - its up to everyone on the island. the first thing to do is discuss it, and SF have regularly called for a nationwide discussion on the subject
Edgware wrote: » Maybe they could start by showing how it can be paid for without resorting to their usual magic beans approach
FrancieBrady wrote: » They will take part in the discussion like everyone else when the work begins in earnest. The anti-UIers will be asked to back up their eleventy seventy billions too.
downcow wrote: » Would you be up for a nationwide discussion on options for the island going forward. Eg rejoining uk, joining commonwealth, roi leaving eu with the uk, Northern Ireland committing to next 200 years as part of uk, independent ni and uniting the island for the first time in history? Don’t ask unionists to be part of a UI discussion unless absolutely everything is on the table.
Edgware wrote: » "when the work begins in earnest"? They are the ones pushing for a border poll but still they want someone else to do the heavy lifting.
BonnieSituation wrote: » So you want to tear up the GFA is it? Why would we leave the EU?
[Deleted User] wrote: » Ya....put them on the table (personally wouldnt be in favour/see benefit in any of them and it fall upon unionists to win people around to it) But yeah,its long since time,a proper national discussion was had and what safegaurds unionists want in a utd ireland (personally im.in favour of another bank holiday for july 12th and seriously examining prospect of moving capital to belfast)
downcow wrote: » I am not saying I want any of the suggestions. I am simply pointing out that it would be rediculous for unionists to enter discussions on a hypothetical UI. Equally as rediculous as republicans entering a discussion on maintaining NIs position in the uk permanently. It would be like asking turkeys to enter discussion on improving the range of stuffings available at Christmas
FrancieBrady wrote: » It won't be a barter situation, Unionists have already agreed that the process is after a vote. You won't be offered stuff to keep you 'peaceful' if that is what you are implying.
downcow wrote: » That’s fair comment. And I’d be up for discussing what safeguards nationalists would want, to accept NI as a country they can fully and permanently commit to and feel ownership of. (personally im.in favour of bank holiday for March 17th and seriously examining prospect of moving capital to Armagh)
Deleted User wrote: » The thing is,they've tried NI as a country (hasnt and wont work)and unionists will piss over any concessions to nationlists anyway..... Its there 100 years and unionists still think so little of nationlists,they wont give a irish language act and their elected representives,just sneer at it....time to pull the plug