Will Ireland be independent in our lifetime?

[Rambo, John J]

In fact, even a preliminary look at census data (2001) shows that of the NI population (1,685,270) just over 40% is Catholic, while 44% is Protestant. Compared to 1991 where about 36% were Catholic and over 50% were protestant.

The percentage of Catholics is increasing steadily while the percentage of Protestants is dropping sharply. Maybe a united Ireland isn't as far off as we think...

Not that i'm particularly concerned, I don't mind dual nationality - gives me two passports, and as far as economy goes, Northern Ireland is on the up and up, we're now the most expensive place in the EU for property.

Add to this recent developments like Victoria Square, the proposed Aurora Building, Titanic Quarter and a thriving domestic creative industries culture comprising of artists, animators, filmmakers and software engineers, the Republic should be looking to join us!

 

[itsthebatman]

I agree, itsthebatman. There definately was a time when the IRA were needed, and people look at you sideways when you say that. But that time is long gone.

Babs, to answer your question. As itsthebatman said, for a long, long time Catholics were treated like second class citizens. But it isn't the same now. Catholics and Protestants are equal, though there are still some indifferences and a few left over idiots.

But there are still several ways we can benifet by breaking off from Britain and uniting with the south. For one thing, why should westminister decide what goes on here in this country? Why should we follow the law of Tony Blair? If we were independent from Britain, we wouldn't have to follow the rules of Britain's Prime Minister - we would have our own. Our own leader who can much better represent us and our needs. It isn't enough to have a power sharing assembly - we should COMPLETELY govern ourselves, decide where our taxes go, decide who we go to war with if anyone, etc.

The economy could potentially benifet. Tourism, too.

For future generations there would be an increased sense of national pride, instead of this constant divide of people who more identify with being Irish, or more identify with being British.

We don't need Britain. And I really think that the Prime Minister would rather be rid of us too.

Hold your horses there, boyo. I didn't say that. There is some case for the IRA's usefulness in the War of Independence and Civil War, but very little for them having any positive impact in the Troubles. I recently read Armed Struggle - The History of the IRA by Richard English, and he convincingly argued that all the IRA's campaign did was kill a lot of people and delay an eventual settlement, and in reality did NOT increase Catholic security. Now, don't get me wrong, the British government and Unionist intransigence have a lot to answer for as well, but I have never supported the IRA's campaign either. That said, fingers crossed this latest deal will stick.

 

[itsthebatman]

In fact, even a preliminary look at census data (2001) shows that of the NI population (1,685,270) just over 40% is Catholic, while 44% is Protestant. Compared to 1991 where about 36% were Catholic and over 50% were protestant.

The percentage of Catholics is increasing steadily while the percentage of Protestants is dropping sharply. Maybe a united Ireland isn't as far off as we think...

Not that i'm particularly concerned, I don't mind dual nationality - gives me two passports, and as far as economy goes, Northern Ireland is on the up and up, we're now the most expensive place in the EU for property.

Add to this recent developments like Victoria Square, the proposed Aurora Building, Titanic Quarter and a thriving domestic creative industries culture comprising of artists, animators, filmmakers and software engineers, the Republic should be looking to join us!

You wish!

 

[kainedamo]

Hold your horses there, boyo. I didn't say that. There is some case for the IRA's usefulness in the War of Independence and Civil War, but very little for them having any positive impact in the Troubles. I recently read Armed Struggle - The History of the IRA by Richard English, and he convincingly argued that all the IRA's campaign did was kill a lot of people and delay an eventual settlement, and in reality did NOT increase Catholic security. Now, don't get me wrong, the British government and Unionist intransigence have a lot to answer for as well, but I have never supported the IRA's campaign either. That said, fingers crossed this latest deal will stick.

Thats what I was talking about. They served their usefullness back in the War of Independence and Civil War. Though, there is POSSIBLY a case that they might have been needed in the 70s. I'm not too sure about that.

 

[itsthebatman]

The case for their usefulness in the 20's is also compromised by the fact that Home Rule was about to be granted, and was only delayed by the First World War. Remember, there was no support for the Easter Rising when it happened - it was the British reaction (as always) which stirred popular sentiment.

 

[kainedamo]

In fact, even a preliminary look at census data (2001) shows that of the NI population (1,685,270) just over 40% is Catholic, while 44% is Protestant. Compared to 1991 where about 36% were Catholic and over 50% were protestant.

The percentage of Catholics is increasing steadily while the percentage of Protestants is dropping sharply. Maybe a united Ireland isn't as far off as we think...

Not that i'm particularly concerned, I don't mind dual nationality - gives me two passports, and as far as economy goes, Northern Ireland is on the up and up, we're now the most expensive place in the EU for property.

Add to this recent developments like Victoria Square, the proposed Aurora Building, Titanic Quarter and a thriving domestic creative industries culture comprising of artists, animators, filmmakers and software engineers, the Republic should be looking to join us!

Our current economic stability thanks to the Good Friday Agreement shows that things can only get better. Belfast has been completely transformed over the last decade. Gordon Brown is supposed to be giving us billions in our new power sharing deal.

So, given that our economy is strong and its only going to get stronger, we don't need Britain anymore.

 

[Maxwell Smart]

The Republic of Ireland IS independent; its Northern Ireland thats not.

I'm not Irish so it doesn't matter what the hell I think, BUT, I don't think Northern Ireland necessarily NEEDS independence from the Crown. Like its been stated, both Irish economies are doing fine. The Good Friday Peace Agreement has more or less worked out. As long as there's peace & prosperity for people, does the official political status of N. Ireland matter that much? Besides with the E.U. its not like its hard for people in the Republic to visit their relatives in Northern Ireland or vice versa.

 

[TEDDY]

Funny, I can. Battling a horde of Care Bears before reinforcements in the form of Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers riding in on Tale Spin claim victory on the field.

TEDDY!!!