If the UK asked Ireland to rejoin the Union, how would you vote?

Depends on the nature of the 'union' - if it was a federated republic with a strong upper house where each country had equal representation then I'd could be persuaded to vote for it.

Also, the NHS would have to replace the HSE - the utility companies would have to be allowed to operate here - education would have to be 'proper' free - and we'd have to get the same motor tax

Queenie would have to go as head of state - she's a nice lady, but the whole idea of monarchies is way outmoded.

If it simply meant having a parliament in Dublin with the same powers as whatever the Scots get, and us returning a number of MPs based on our population size then probably no.

And que at foreign exchanges to go on holidays.No from me.

jank wrote: »

This is what would make more sense. It is strange that we had no problem joining the EU but a question about Commonwealth or a Union of the British Isles is out of the question for vague nationalistic reasons of old. Like it or not we are economically, culturally and lately politically more closely aligned the the UK than any where else in the world. It seems the French try an screw us over given any opportunity to talk about our tax rates and the Brits is seems has our back in regards this matter. Yet, cognitive dissonance reigns in Irish republican circles.

I think politically the main stumbling blocks would be having a monarch as head of state and that unless there was huge political reform any federation / union would be dominated by the English - hence my suggestion for an upper house where each country has equal representation.

The only 'down' side I can see is that we lose an EU Commissioner - but given the latest gombeen we've just sent out there, maybe that's not such a bad thing.

No.

although I'm pretty sure a decent proportion of the media would try and convince us to rejoin.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

That's simply not true. Politically the Irish are very pro European Union, the British on the other hand are one of the least and could potentially withdraw from it in the near future. Fine Gael are the most right of centre party in Ireland but would be seen as Lefties by the Conservatives. Our Labour Party is to the left of their Labour Party. Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are quite different to the Lib Dems.
Irish people don't want a Euro skeptic right wing government.

Simply not true - the Scots (are they not also British) are very pro-Europe, and the Welsh Cornish (are they not British) - moderately pro-Europe. The British are more than the 'Home Counties' parochial English.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We have the Common Travel Area which means there are no added conveniences to having a union with Britain.

True

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We would have to harmonise our corporation tax with the rest of the UK. Bye bye FDI!!!

Not true - the reforms proposed for the Scots include tax varying powers - the simple idea being that the Parliament in Edinburgh would have the power to set many of it's own taxes, with a the block grant being varied accordingly.

If anything that retained power combined with unfettered access to the financial services sector in London would boost FDI.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We would have to send our troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. We would become a more legitimate target for Islamic extremists.

We would enjoy a shared defence that's true - but it's not like Irish men (including personnel from the PDF) haven't already served there.

We'd be part of NATO, but our defence costs would be covered.

I think you misunderstand what 'Islamic' extremists are interested in targeting.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

We could see a rejuvenated New IRA drawing Republicans from all corners of the island to violently fight against it.

If it was the expressed democratic will of the people I doubt there would be any significant reaction - you'll still have the headbangers but nothing except some kind of Marxist/Leninist north Atlantic state will ever satisfy them.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

The Queen would be our head of state.

Not necessarily - you'd assume if this did come to pass there would be a process of negotiation. It would be a deal breaker, I agree, but there's plenty of support for a republic in England, Scotland and Wales - so it's not impossible to imagine herself being relegated to something less relevant where the institution would have nothing to do with the governing of this new imaginary federation!

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

My local TDs voice would be diluted by having a larger core of politicians ( who would be mainly English and simply don't care about Ireland).

Should we join a union with Britain? GET DA FUK...!!!

An end to the parish pump politics that have plagued and retarded this country for generations? - no more getting the roads fixed, the medical card sorted, de Minister down to open the local supermarket / offlicence / garden shed etc. Government in the national interest sounds like a bad idea alright :rolleyes:

Easy enough to counter the mainly English parliament by setting up a strong upper house with each country given equal representation.