A United Ireland. Opening up the discussion.

[T Fearon]

Where is this plan then? 100 years and no sign,Brexit is the opportunity,but still no plan...because neither major party in the South wants unity.If they did a plan would at least be in the development stages

[BennyCake]

A hundred years ago, people would have taken a United Ireland no question. They had nothing to lose. The country was in poverty, living in poor housing, particularly in the cities. Dublin's housing slums were said to be among the worst in europe. There were no benefits, pensions, nhs etc. People have too much to lose potentially, by going into a UI. In a way, people are too well off now. A lot may be really struggling, but they're still better off in many ways than 100 years ago.

The only way people will push for a UI is if conditions go back to as bad as then. That's why some don't support a UI. Because they'd be worst off. Completely reasonable that. Nothing wrong with looking after yourself and your family. No other w****.r is gonna do it!

[Rois]

I asked on another site what the specific question was that was asked that delivered the stated results. Was there a time limit or was it an "any time in the future" question?

[T Fearon]

As Sir Billy Connolly once said "The Future doesn't exist".All that matters is the present.

[omaghjoe]

As Sir Billy Connolly once said "The Future doesn't exist".All that matters is the present.

Well sure that settles it then Tony....

[BennyCake]

As Sir Billy Connolly once said "The Future doesn't exist".All that matters is the present.

He'll always just be Billy to me.

[armaghniac]

I think Helmut Kohl's death illustrates the point. West Germany wasn't too bothered about unity before 1989 and the didn't necessarily think it entirely a good thing afterwards, but there was great enthusiasm at the time.

[playwiththewind1st]

It also said 23% of Sinn Fein voters would not vote in favour of a United Ireland.

There is no plan for a Unitec Ireland,because it is not desired North or South.So the only viable options are settle down under British Rule or develop a plan for Northern Irish Independence

"Unitec Ireland"? Or your earlier reference to a "route cause"?
Not only are you a complete idiot, but you are an illiterate one. Go to primary school, learn some grammar & spelling, then come back & bore everyone.

[UlsterMan2]

Never mind all the probables, does the sheer patriotism not want us all to be united?

[armaghniac]

Patriotism wants us to have a plan.

[T Fearon]

Pragmatism trumps patriotism,I'm afraid.See the reaction of real British people at the prospect of the DUP in government at Westminster."Crackpots" they're called.It's even worse in Dublin when both main parties in an unprecedented move,co operate together in Government rather than doing a deal with SF.

It's time all the people of the North accept that neither London nor Dublin wants us.

[Owen Brannigan]

I think Helmut Kohl's death illustrates the point. West Germany wasn't too bothered about unity before 1989 and the didn't necessarily think it entirely a good thing afterwards, but there was great enthusiasm at the time.

The problems of unification of Germany are still present after 27 years and will probably take several generations to alleviate and that was a country divided only for about 45 years.  The recent influx of migrants from Syria and beyond knew enough not to re-settle in the East despite that being the plan of Angela Merkel as the region remains underpopulated and still running behind the West of the country.

[smelmoth]

Never mind all the probables, does the sheer patriotism not want us all to be united?

Patriotism leads many to wish that a united ireland was possible. Doesn't mean they would vote for it. Most of them know that you can't wish something into viability

[armaghniac]

I think Helmut Kohl's death illustrates the point. West Germany wasn't too bothered about unity before 1989 and the didn't necessarily think it entirely a good thing afterwards, but there was great enthusiasm at the time.

The problems of unification of Germany are still present after 27 years and will probably take several generations to alleviate and that was a country divided only for about 45 years.  The recent influx of migrants from Syria and beyond knew enough not to re-settle in the East despite that being the plan of Angela Merkel as the region remains underpopulated and still running behind the West of the country.

Would East Germany be less depopulated or have more Syrians if there had not been unity?

[Owen Brannigan]

I think Helmut Kohl's death illustrates the point. West Germany wasn't too bothered about unity before 1989 and the didn't necessarily think it entirely a good thing afterwards, but there was great enthusiasm at the time.

The problems of unification of Germany are still present after 27 years and will probably take several generations to alleviate and that was a country divided only for about 45 years.  The recent influx of migrants from Syria and beyond knew enough not to re-settle in the East despite that being the plan of Angela Merkel as the region remains underpopulated and still running behind the West of the country.

Would East Germany be less depopulated or have more Syrians if there had not been unity?

With the removal of the control by the defunct USSR, East Germany could have joined the EU in its own right but it would have experienced the same population movement that occurred in the adjacent east European countries.  The point is that despite unification and taxation of the existing German population for this purpose, East Germany has not reached an equalisation with West Germany in terms of economic growth and re-industrialisation hence its population has decreased as some migrated to the wealthy West.  This created a chicken and egg scenario as industry required trained employees, those potential employees have moved to the West region so industry has not grown.  Merkel gambled that the East could absorb Syrians coming from a formerly advanced society with good levels of education but instead they have remained in the more affluent West and were less welcome in the East in the same way as occurred in other east European countries.