How many of us think that unification is no longer a priority and don't really want unification ?

Funny that is exactly the image I had on my head about the Brexit bus too :)

I could never understand that eye bus thing, why isn't happening in other Healthboard areas?

From my basic understanding it's more about the elongated funding approval regime governing Cork/Kerry that's very outdated and entrenched which makes those who can take matters into their own hands.

It says more about Cork/Kerry than NI.

Is the NHS in NI so amazing? The health / mortality rates there would suggest otherwise.

We have never had a proper debate re reunification here in the South. There are costs, benefits, impacts on our State - we would need to have that discussion to properly anchor any rational assessment. NI clearly IMHO would be better off as part of this State - economically it is the most deprived part of the UK. Investment flows from here and FDI would in all likelihood be transformative for NI. However, for a lot of folks identity, whatever that means to them, matters up there. That will take time to change.

For us in Republic, if border erased, price disparities/bargains would disappear. Who'd vote for that?

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We are not that rich a country when our national debt per head of population is amongst the highest in the world.

Plenty of people, busloads, borrowed off a credit union to have to go to N. Ireland from Cork and Kerry - or else go blind.

But yet the governments pays some public sector pensioners six figure sums as a pension. Go figure.

I think it will happen within the next 20 years and it will boost the economies of both parts. Larger population, bigger workforce, Belfast as a counter balance to Dublin etc etc.

When it happens it will be because both the Irish & UK governments have agreed the time is right and both will be advocating a yes vote.

A unification referendum would be the biggest thing in this country's history.

Housing shortages and housing over supply come and go, the economy goes boom and bust, taxes are high and taxes are low, welfare rates go up and down.

All theses things are cyclical.

But a unification referendum would change the whole structure of our country.

A 32 county repbulic would fullfil the aspirations of millions of women and men throughout history, whether you agree with it or not.

SF and others will put forward the argument that we will be better off, some of it will make sense, some of it won't, some will agree with it, other's won't.

But who's going to make the arguments that it's too expensive and that we should ignore the wishes of the majority in NI and not let them join the Republic ?

No one is going to make that argument other than a few fringe players.

And it will pass with flying colours because the romance of a united Ireland will outweigh all the economic arguments, and people will just hope that SF are right.

And Brexit would be at least 30 years in the rearview mirror by the time this would come around.

The people in favour would be able to explain away all the concerns you mentioned and there would be no one to counter those explanations, because as I said, no main party is going to be against this.

The people in favour (S.F. supporters) are no nearer explaining how issues would be resolved now than 30 years ago, and not an inch closer. Issues like pensions, NATO membership of N.I., security, loss of NHS, Irish language, currency, split up of UK national debt and Ireland taking N.I's share, flag, anthems, etc etc.

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There was even a housing development near where I grew up that was paid for by the British in the 1930s for retiring soldiers returning to Ireland!

There was a row of houses called Mon Terrace (After the Battle of Mons) in Castlebar that was built in the 1930s for former WW 1 soldiers, built by the "Soldiers and Sailors Land Trust"

The last one was knocked just last year, not because of a "Brits out" campaign, but because it fell into disrepair.

Way off topic.

But none of that is going to stop the people in NI who state their national identity on the census as "Irish Only" from wanting to join the republic.

These people will be in the majority when the border poll comes around.

No person with an "Irish Only" identity will balk at the chance of a united Ireland over the price of a car.

I am very very strongly against a UI because of silly statements like you have posted above. Lots of people calling for a UI are thinking with their hearts and talking romantic nonsense. These people pose a serious danger to the Rep of Ireland, perhaphs they think fairytale thinking is more important than the economy.