More Catholics Than Protestants In N Ireland.

[sandyRoe]

That doesn't necessarily mean a referendum would see a vote for a united Ireland. Some Catholics will think they're better off in the UK.
If the north hadn't been such a cold house for Catholics throughout much of its existence the question of unity might never have arisen.
Thoughts?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/22/catholics-outnumber-protestants-northern-ireland-census

[Spicerack]

nailit //Religion poisens everything...

Hitchens wasn't wrong....//

Maybe he wasn't. But there's no E in poisons. ;-)

[davebro]

I would love to see a peacefully reunited Ireland in my lifetime & if the border issues resulting from Brexit help that along well it's just ANOTHER Brexit benefit.

[Paul22118]

I think there has to be a number of factors to cater for before a united Ireland becomes a reality.
1. There must be a successful 'pro' referendum in the North.
2. There must be political agreement in the South.
3. The British government must agree.
4. There will need to be an EU finger in the pie.

Because of the young age of Northern population, a majority of Catholics, a desire to get over the protocol, a wish to join the EU will all contribute ultimately to Unification.

[Paigntonian]

Wholly sympathise with NI protestants wishing to remain part of the UK and that in the past they had justifiable concerns about the socio-political operation of Eire. But I do wonder what would be so terrible about NI eventually becoming part of the republic, with requisite guarantees and perhaps some measure of devolved power arrangements.

[ichkeria]

I can guarantee that N Ireland will not ever become “part of the republic”.

That’s a backward looking solution not a forward one. And there has never actuallly been a United Irish Republic in the past. The border itself no longer exists in any meaningful sense.
What’ll probably happen over time is that the two parts of Ireland will move closer together but I think a “referendum” is best avoided if possible.
We had one referendum in Brexit, which has proved exceptionally divisive. Imagine what a border poll would be like.
Sensible politicians north and south should discreetly kick it in to the grass.
Sometimes that’s the best policy

[ichkeria]

Another sensible approach might be an elected crossborder forum or convention to draw up a possible framework that defined the position of the different parts of Ireland relative to each other and to Great Britain.
Then hold a referendum on the proposals as happened with the Good Friday agreement. Brexit tho would likely make that approach more problematic as the EU would also have to be considered.

[Paigntonian]

the absolute priority must be no-one starts bombing and shooting again.

[Old_Geezer]

That method would not be peaceful Dave, as the same emotions would remain. However if there was an Irexit they could willingly choose to apply to be readmitted to the UK, and that may be a better reunion option.

[ichkeria]

Brexit doesn't ease the path to peaceful unification (not "reunification") at all.
We have already seen how it has complicated things in N Ireland.
Why unionists voted for it is a mystery. Perhaps they thought it wouldn't actually happen (which is rumoured to be the reason why Cameron included it in his manifesto)
Still, we are where we are.

[THECORBYLOON]

"Another sensible approach might be an elected crossborder forum or convention"

Who would be the candidates in your forum and who would the electorate be?

[Old_Geezer]

I suspect they would have voted for it for the same reasons the majority did; to take power/sovereignty back from a corrupt unelected foreign elite and be able to start dictating things for ourselves once more.

[ichkeria]

I don't know.

But they key thing there is to ensure that people would be voting for something concrtete and not the vague idea of a "United Ireland"

[fiveleaves]

This would have happenned a lot sooner if the IRA hadn't driven thousands of Catholics out of Northern Ireland.
If we are still around in 10 years time, we will probably see a united Ireland

[gness]

Much as I'd love to see a united Ireland it won't happen. The south would have to agree and few now want it.
As for Irexit. Well that won't happen either. Ireland has benefited greatly, still is benefitting, from being in the EU and nobody's daft enough to vote to leave.

As for Catholics being driven out of NI. That was mainly due to discrimination and the Loyalists.

[Spicerack]

I'd say most left of their own accord. Big families, small farms.
Happened in Eire as well.
I read somewhere (Angela's Ashes?) that Postal Orders from England were the largest source of revenue in Ireland until the 1950/60's.
That doesn't look right, maybe it was foreign capital or maybe it was made up. Whether by Frank or me, I couldn't say now.

[Canary42]

I would imagine a lot of young RCs are turning away from the faith as a consequence of the exposure of how the pedo priests cope with celibacy.

[davebro]

//the absolute priority must be no-one starts bombing and shooting again.//

How could they do that when all the weapons were put "beyond use" - they were, weren't they!

[sandyRoe]

Loyalists(unionists) still have enough weapons to cow their own communities and ensure their drug empires are monopolies.

[New Judge]

This is a perfect illustration demonstrating why all public manifestations of religion should be banned. Religious practices should be confined to private homes, with public gatherings outlawed. Nobody needs to know what religion (if any) an individual follows. Similarly nobody needs to know how many Catholics, how many Protestants and how many "others" live in NI. All that's necessary is to know how many people (in the whole of Ireland) prefer a united country. Whether they are Left Booters or otherwise is immaterial.

[Spicerack]

There are historical considerations in NI, of course.
I suppose they'll fade in time. Maybe.