How can we integrate Unionism into a possible United Ireland?

I think many people on this thread should familiarise and acquaint themselves with the Ireland Act 1949 and the and the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956.

Would save the tortuous circular arguments.

Just looked up those two acts, what point were you making by referencing them?

Ok, let's rephrase. The GFA means that you can't refer anymore generically or exclusively that people from this island are Irish. There are now a cohort of people from this island who are British. Who is in which category is a matter for the individual.

Exclusive nationalist has never been able to get its head around this facet of the GFA, and the implications for any future relationships on this island. In fact, unionists, in their typical short-sightedness don't realise the significance of this concession either. Those in the middle - FF, FG, Alliance, SDLP, Greens, - they all understand this.

The lie perpetuated by partitionists that there is 'cross community' support possible before a UI (principally as a delaying tactic) has been scotched. There will never be cross community support for any new constitutional arrangement. Partition has failed for the same reason, there is no cross community support for it and there never was. Now it is the turn of those who believe that a UI can eventually command support (even if it is begrudged) by integrating those who are prepared to set aside their Unionism for a better place, socially and politically, to live.

FG, the arch sniffers of the wind, know the time is right to start supporting a UI.

Stage one, begin calling for a Border Poll.

[He] argues for Irish unity on the basis that the whole island will rejoin the EU and also because it would represent a “consolidation” of resources.

“Unity it's no longer just an emotional aspiration bandied about and left to one party to keep pushing, it's now something that's coming into discussions a lot more across the island, and I certainly think has been an element of a generational shift,” he said.

Wait, that sounds awfully like reunification being an economic positive to me? And that we shouldn't be solely relying on SF to push it.

The whiplash that our resident Partitionists are suffering from must be causing them serious discomfort. Poor craturs.

I didn't miss a single thing.

FG where the prime advocates of cross community support for even the holding a Border Poll.

That is gone with the wind.

You tried to make the best of it blanch, but you have a bus on top of you.

Still 8 or 9 years to run on my prediction on that.

Another example of the impractical nature of a united Ireland and why it won't happen when people put aside the emotion and think rationally about it.

Two completely incompatible electronic health systems are being put in place, North and South, which would cost millions to fix.

If dual-consent was the concern of partitionists (it's not, we all know that) then NI should not exist. Partitonists want us to seek the consent of those who seized a part of our country, by threat of mass-murder, for its return. Forget it, not happening.

A step towards creating an atmosphere that may integrate unionists would be for the Irish government to take a serious look at what part they and their security forces played in colluding with the IRA aattacking unionists in the north (and the south)

instead we have a visit yesterday from your PM telling our government that they need to do more in this regard. The arrogance and the ostrich type behaviour is remarkable

You're not suggesting that DC would be engaging in another round of playing the victim?

You know as well as I do that there's always another issue and roadblock tomorrow.

It's time to give up trying to bring belligerent Unionists along. They're exhausting.

Here’s one of today’s anniversaries. No doubt some think it was a good days work. How could unionists integrate until this gets the same attention as the events francie names above

“21 May 1994: 

Reginald McCollum, 19-year-old Protestant civilian, single was a full-time member of the Royal Irish Regiment holding the rank of Private and was from Sandholes, Cookstown. After a stag party in an Armagh pub he was kidnapped and shot by the IRA. He was last seen alive around 2:30AM at a chip shop. The IRA said in a statement that they had abducted, interrogated and killed him claiming he was a spy. His body was found dumped close to a hedge in a field between the Callanbridge and Mullacreevie estates. It was said at the inquest that Pte McCollum may have fought off his attackers. A pathologist said at the inquest that there had been a considerable number of abrasions and bruises which indicated at considerable struggle. Pte McCollum had been shot nine times. Lieutenant Colonel. Kevin Hodgson, Pte McCollum's commanding officer, said: "Pte McCollum was a dedicated and conscientious soldier". He was the third member of his family that had been murdered by the IRA. In 1994, after the IRA ceasefire, Pte McCollum's father died. It is believed his father died of a broken heart. LEST WE FORGET!”

How can one be a civilian and also in the Armed Forces? At the the time whether you agree with it or not , he would have been seen by many as a legitimate target especially given the mass murders conducted by the BA. Thank god, those killings are well behind us and if they were to occur again would likely be loyalists attacks egged by scum in the UV.UDA, DUP and Bin Boy Bryson. At the moment, it's your crowd threatening violence and even targeted Simon Coveney, I assume you've condemned these Scum

The fact that you think that the Irish Govt or the Gardai colluded with the IRA proves how little you know on Irish affairs. Fact, is that British Army, RUC, UDR colluded with Loyalist Scum to massacre the Nationalist Community and now your precious British Govt want to give these feckers an Amnesty. Hell has any Unionist condemned this plan. [Mod Snip]