Messages

I don't believe camogie has the same amount of players as hurling.

Just don't

They seem a rough crowd
https://x.com/buff_egan/status/2098506764228669741

[Unionists have influence in a UI because they make up a bloc that can decide coalitions etc. They have considerably more votes than the province of Connacht.]

There will be some form of "home rule' there.
Then ye can continue yer separate education system, motor reg plates, keep an International soccer team , enter Commonwealth games etc.
Not to mention dual nationality under GFA.

So stay the way it is now?

Stormont about as much use as a chocolate teapot, can't think of anyone that be sad to see it go bar the ones getting £ out of it lol

I agree with your analysis of the performance of Stormont. But that is a separate point.

I think everyone agrees on the following 2 points.

1) the only path to a united ireland is that partially outlined in the GFA ie 2 synchronous referenda.
2) the GFA ascribes the role of calling for the northern referendum to the Secretary of State (and by implication to the UK government or its successor).

These points alone preclude the idea that a northern referendum could ever be called without a water tight guarantee that the rights of a minority would be protected via power sharing, whatever the outcome.

When projecting what a new Ireland would look like I think we would do well to bear this in mind. Assuming that UK/USA/EU are operating on the basis that the agreement they are bound to uphold is founded on the basis that power sharing in NI only holds during the era when Unionists are in the majority is at best foolhardy. Equally foolhardy is to assume that those "in the centre" who could be persuaded either way in a northern referendum (and potentially in a southern referendum also) would not look for some reassurance that northern unionism would not be consigned to powerless position whilst northern nationalism gets the opportunity to repeat all of unionism's earlier mistakes.

What we do not what is a Stormont where a minority of unionists are blocking every bloody thing. Unionists have influence in a UI because they make up a bloc that can decide coalitions etc. They have considerably more votes than the province of Connacht.

I would suggest that the likelihood of US/EU and more importantly UK (or its successor) being convinced by that argument is zero. And without the latter (and probably all 3) being convinced you won't get your northern referendum. My prediction is that a better answer will be required and the work that goes into working out what a new Ireland looks like will have to tease this out. My sense is that a new Ireland will have to accommodate a Northern Ireland and power-sharing within it. That shouldn't deter people from pursuing a UI. Ireland is by and large, a modern and forward looking place. These things are all achievable but people pretending that there won't be a NI or power sharing are not really engaging in the real debate.

People can have rights, and a new agreement can be proposed. But we cannot have a scenario where a minority at Stormont can thwart that something a majority voted for by have a veto on every individual change as it arises.

There will be some form of "home rule' there.
Then ye can continue yer separate education system, motor reg plates, keep an International soccer team , enter Commonwealth games etc.
Not to mention dual nationality under GFA.

So stay the way it is now?

Stormont about as much use as a chocolate teapot, can't think of anyone that be sad to see it go bar the ones getting £ out of it lol

I agree with your analysis of the performance of Stormont. But that is a separate point.

I think everyone agrees on the following 2 points.

1) the only path to a united ireland is that partially outlined in the GFA ie 2 synchronous referenda.
2) the GFA ascribes the role of calling for the northern referendum to the Secretary of State (and by implication to the UK government or its successor).

These points alone preclude the idea that a northern referendum could ever be called without a water tight guarantee that the rights of a minority would be protected via power sharing, whatever the outcome.

When projecting what a new Ireland would look like I think we would do well to bear this in mind. Assuming that UK/USA/EU are operating on the basis that the agreement they are bound to uphold is founded on the basis that power sharing in NI only holds during the era when Unionists are in the majority is at best foolhardy. Equally foolhardy is to assume that those "in the centre" who could be persuaded either way in a northern referendum (and potentially in a southern referendum also) would not look for some reassurance that northern unionism would not be consigned to powerless position whilst northern nationalism gets the opportunity to repeat all of unionism's earlier mistakes.

What we do not what is a Stormont where a minority of unionists are blocking every bloody thing. Unionists have influence in a UI because they make up a bloc that can decide coalitions etc. They have considerably more votes than the province of Connacht.

Was needing oil for the colder weather and had been sitting for ages now not knowing when to strike on it but looks like i've made an error waiting as it's now thru the roof. I still have some left in the tank but when do you buy?

When it happens again - you need to look at somewhere like here every week:
https://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/home-heating/price-checker/archive

and ask yourself "how much lower could it realistically go - and am I saving much by taking the risk and waiting?".


It was well down at start of July. We dithered a week and missed the absolute dip - but it was pretty close to the norm over the 3 years before it.

July was the time to order, as there is a summer effect as well as the international relations aspect.

It is strange the effects that events can have. A guy I know was getting a job from a US multinational, who then froze the process after 9/11. So, being September, he headed off to to a Masters degree instead. No doubt such a course might redirect your future somewhat, but on this course he met his wife, so it had a major effect and he would never have met her except for 9/11.

Ireland can be just called Ireland, not Republic of Ireland, as that, to the unionist, might appease the name

It already is, no change there.

Devolved government in the regions of the provinces, so running the place mainly is still within its own areas

what are these going to do?

An inclusive National Anthem, (I know, but hear me out)

A nation once again?

Inclusion for the Northern prods to be still part of the British Commonwealth, having that dual nationality

We could all join the Commonwealth as Ireland has independent links to Australia, Canada etc.

50 years of NHS continued funding for those that feel they want that, others may decide to follow a Southern Ireland format

Do you mean free care or the lower level of expenditure?

All public state pensions to be honored until they die, if Northerners want to keep their 'own' state pension they can

Pensions are complex, but people in the NI may mostly want the higher Irish rates.

Benefits to match the best available. Be that the UK one or the Irish one

Sinn Féin would vote for that. Will we also have the highest taxes of either of the present systems to pay for it?

The 12th is still a National Holiday, parades to still be allowed and obviously parades commission still reviewing them

The battle of the Boyne is not a proper thing to commemorate in a holiday. But you could put the second Monday in July as a holiday and let people spend it as they wish. 

Jarlath on the radio now. He said that he wanted a detailed plan to be put to a GAA congress (regular or special), and not just proceed on a general approval of the idea. He also said that the ladies associations were not bringing much funding to the party, so they could not expect equal expenditure immediately.

If the LGFA and Camogie could merge in the first instance, it would show a good example.

Killeavy v Cruppen would be perfect for a double header in Crossmaglen

The best neutral ground for Killeavy and Carrickcruppen would be Pairc Esler, just down the road for both teams, but I suspect that playing championship games outside the county is not the done thing.

Likewise Blayney would suit Culloville v Cross.

Inniskeen anyone?

Killeavy v Cruppen would be perfect for a double header in Crossmaglen

The best neutral ground for Killeavy and Carrickcruppen would be Pairc Esler, just down the road for both teams, but I suspect that playing championship games outside the county is not the done thing.

Likewise Blayney would suit Culloville v Cross.

Should just be played in the nearest county field...

That would be environmentally sustainable, reducing fuel consumption.

WW2 80yrs ago. Dont remember Great Britain bending over bck wayard for us, and that seperation only 105yrs ago.

the British do not regret their actions, most people in Germany do.

Killeavy v Cruppen would be perfect for a double header in Crossmaglen

The best neutral ground for Killeavy and Carrickcruppen would be Pairc Esler, just down the road for both teams, but I suspect that playing championship games outside the county is not the done thing.

Likewise Blayney would suit Culloville v Cross.

The rules have changed for contributions from abroad

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/if-you-live-or-work-abroad

"You cannot pay voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions for time abroad.
You can apply to pay Class 3 contributions for time spent abroad after 5 April 2026"

Class 2 are the cheaper ones, less that 200 pounds per year
Class 3 are over 900 per year, may still be a good deal but not as great as it was before

You can still catch up for prior years at the cheaper rate

I'm surprised that it took them so long to cop on, although I was class 3 all along.

I see that Micheál Martin has called for clarification of the criteria for a border poll.
Now that Mayo have won Sam, we'll get there yet.

Tg4 have a knack of putting on games that become a wash out.

To be fair not too many seen this coming.

People across the country probably thought that Cross were the inevitable winners, but that wasn't the view in Armagh or anyone who saw recent Cross games.

That said, Clan na Gael were woeful. The wind was there for both sides, did Clans get a two pointer at all?