Northern Ireland ( norn iron)

[steken1]

Do you think they'd consider pushing for a referendum on Independence. Obviously a big part of it's history of trouble is down to English rule and the fight against it, seems obvious to me that that could happen in the future as economies pick up.

Do you think they'll be next to push for a refendum and how do you think it'd go?

 

[Roger Milla]

There won't be a referendum until the Catholics are the majority there. At the moment they're not but they have a more rapid birth rate than the Protestants so in the future who knows.

 

[Kanye]

Even then, a large proportion of the Catholics are unionist so it's not demographically binary. No easy solutions atm.

 

[toffee matt]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Ireland

Over 60% of People prefer to remain part of the uk

 

[Verbal Kint]

As a Southern Irishman I doubt I will see it in my lifetime, It's an easy thing to say it all depends when Catholic's are in the majority, but would all Catholic's want to join the Euro currency and give up Sterling as it's main currency. Also the Unionist's wouldn't let it " Independence" happen easily. The quickest way to Independence is if Britain decides they don't want Northern Ireland as part of the Union anymore, this is also unlikely but I doubt they would put up as much as a fight as they did as regards the Scottish Independence debate. Scotland after all bring's many more resources to the table (Oil, Army, Navy Shipyards) than Northern Ireland does.

Regardless if the North is ever returned to the South I hope it's done in a peaceful and democratic manner.

 

[hullefc]

No need for a vote at the moment , as there is a snails pace move towards Irish re-unification, with all those cross border bodies.

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

One day. You'll never keep everyone happy though.

I'd very much like to see it happen on good terms, but that is impossible at present.

 

[blueser]

Even then, a large proportion of the Catholics are unionist so it's not demographically binary. No easy solutions atm.

Please substantiate this statement.

 

[Kanye]

Please substantiate this statement.

"the poll of 1,200 Northern Irish citizens revealed that 52% of Catholics favoured the union with Britain rather than a united Ireland."

From 2011, the original poll in the Irish Times is behind a paywall but it's reproduced here.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jun/17/life-and-times-survey-united-ireland

Obviously it's in the context of a recession but I can't imagine it's swung too much the other way since.

 

[Moomin]

Please substantiate this statement.

A load of old choir boys who got fiddled with by a priest would like to remain in the union.

 

[Prevenger17]

Regardless if the North is ever returned to the South I hope it's done in a peaceful and democratic manner.

Who said they'd be returned to the south if they voted independence? Even if they voted for a break away from Britain, they wouldn't want to be governed by our lot.

 

[Ballymoney1]

At the moment there is no chance of a referendum on independence in Northern Ireland. Unlike Scotland we are in no position to be financially independent and are totally reliant on the Westminster government to bankroll us and maintain our day to day living standards. This is also reflected in our employment stats where there is a huge reliance on government public sector jobs.

The cost of keeping Northern Ireland means that many in the British government probably wouldn't be sorry to see us leave but I can't see there many takers. Although many in the south would still wish to see Ireland reunited the costs involved in this taking place doesn't make us an attractive proposition.

For Northern Ireland it's best option is to stick with what we have. Any current poll or referendum would show this.

 

[squonk]

As a Southern Irishman I doubt I will see it in my lifetime, It's an easy thing to say it all depends when Catholic's are in the majority, but would all Catholic's want to join the Euro currency and give up Sterling as it's main currency. Also the Unionist's wouldn't let it " Independence" happen easily. The quickest way to Independence is if Britain decides they don't want Northern Ireland as part of the Union anymore, this is also unlikely but I doubt they would put up as much as a fight as they did as regards the Scottish Independence debate. Scotland after all bring's many more resources to the table (Oil, Army, Navy Shipyards) than Northern Ireland does.

Regardless if the North is ever returned to the South I hope it's done in a peaceful and democratic manner.

Also Scotland is part of Britain. N.I. isn't.

 

[Bilko]

I'm fairly sure neither country would want to govern it solely,there are so many different opinions,look at what you'd be taking on,a nation that can't agree on which flag or for how long it can be up on a town hall.........the republic politicians have enough issues governing the 26 counties (most of them their own making I hasten to add !),never mind throwing the six from the North at it.
Would UK really want total power ?,to govern Northern Ireland would be an absolute nightmare i'd think.IMO the best solution is in place already and I'm sure that isn't easy street either.