The IRA And The SAS

[Contractor]

Sully, it is defo a highlighter

[Pasha]

With regards a united Ireland. Do most people in Eire still want this? The overwhelming majority of people from the Rep. that I have talked to (both here and there), don't seem to be overly fussed. Then again I suppose that would mirror the average Briton's view on Ulster.

While many peoiple talk about the coming demographic shift towards the Catholic community in NI, I think they are wrong to assume this will automatically translate into a Nationalist majority. The allegiances of 1971 are not as firm today and may be weaker still in 2021. History has a tendency to upset predictions but throwing curve balls.

Another point to ponder; given the increasing subordination of EC nations to a larger economic order, are the seperate political entities set to become irrelevant, regardless?

Sully, I have enjoyed and appreciated your considered and rational approach topics, no matter how contentious and emotive the subject matter. More of the same, Sir!
With regards.

Pasha

[Twenty One]

The MAJORITY of the folk in Northern Ireland 99.9% of them just want to get on with life and get things back to normal.It is the extremely small minority that terrorise them into accepting the Paramilitaries and their way of doing things.The IRA are the people as is the people The IRA,it comes from within their neighbourhoods and the Ghettos both Loyalist and Republican organisations.The answer to the NI problems could have been resolved many many years ago, but the weak politicians kept things going by ignoring the troubles throughout the years.A few feeble attempts by a Conservative government behind closed doors to tone down the bombings and shootings only increased them as the IRA saw that through the bomb and bullet they would get the concessions that they have today.
Northern Ireland will be integrated back into the South as soon as the republicans can achieve the majority by rapid breeding the way they do.

[Sisyphus]

Pasha

I fully agree with your comments about a 'Greater Europe' making individual countries, maybe not irrelevant, but less 'important' as individual entities. Samma-samma national governments (who are being made irrelevant by corporate globalization anyway)

Two of our best friends are Irish and they seem quite clear that Southern Ireland (the people of) do want a unified Ireland. What they aren't so keen on is the hassle that attaches itself to the North.

Interestingly (or not?) they aren't Roman Catholic. They're Church of Ireland. Which raises the question of the emphasis on the Prods vs Papists claptrap that goes on. I wonder how many (on either side) actually go to church - and what about all the atheists in NI? It's more to do with tribalism than religion. Isn't it??

There's been two full days (nearly) on UK History Channel about NI. One of last night's episodes was on the Loyalists. It's been really interesting, thought-provoking stuff. So sad. And even sadder that the 'end' seems so far away.

I'm just glad I was born this side of the Irish Sea! My heart goes out to all the people of Northern Ireland when I think of all the suffering.

[Contractor]

The 'not fussed' view from the Republic and GB would be fairly accurate in my view - apathy rules. So that just leaves the six counties who have a strong viewpoint.

If there is political mileage with the US to create a reunited Ireland and no great outcry from GB or the Rep then it will probably happen. However, as you say Pasha predictions can be perilous and with NI who knows what could happen.

[Budgie]

(Am I the only 'NI vet' who thinks a united Ireland is an inevitability?

No Sisyphus you aren't. I think it will come at some point but I wouldn't like to put a timescale on it. I think there is more liklihood of it happening under a labour goverment though. Maybe because it can see a way of reducing the armed forces even further by taking away another commitment, maybe because savings can be made by not having to pay x number of pounds in dole money or benefits. (I'm not saying they pay out a fortune, I wouldn't know, I am just guessing that unemployment is high).

Being an ex-miner I am a socialist and probably anti-tory but I do feel that this government has a severe case of LMF and will look for the easy option every time disregarding the feelings and viewpoint of the majority of Ulster people.

Hope you don't go too far back into your box Sully old mate - I value your input on here greatly.

Yep. I'll go along with that one as well. You ain't on my sh*t list mate