Comments on: What happens in 2016 when Northern Ireland’s Catholics are on a par with Protestants?

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 07:20:33 +0000

The north was forged out of the threat of
Violence and the existence of the north
has created a division and will always
Create a division between the orange
and green culture on the island. Lately
we see the political unionists again using
bully boy tactics and the threat of violence
over the flag issue… How come the tri colour
hang over Belfast city hall? Because there
Is not real cultural equality in the north!

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 07:14:30 +0000

This country will never be at peace unless
there is cultural integration between the orange & the green cultures. Partition
simply prolonged this process & it
remains the elephant in the room and
will continue to upset the relationship
North and south and between Ireland
And Britain.

By: John Anderson

John Anderson — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:48:49 +0000

plus the 25% who identify as Northern irish . The category “Northern irish” may be interpreted as a subset of the set of all irish people but other interpretations are possible . Depending on your prejudices, you can spin the Census data one way or another . The “North”/Northern ireland”/ “the North of ireland” is changing but anyone who dreams of seeing the confessional/ethnic differences fade away in their lifetime must be smoking really strong tobacco . Regrettably the communal differences are deeprooted and substantial and long predate the existence of the Northern Irish state .

By: anon

anon — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:36:06 +0000

Surely national identity is more relevant than religion. 40% of people according to the census consider themselves British and only 25% consider themselves Irish

By: V.H

V.H — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:10:41 +0000

The religious divide hides a profound racist dimension. So the rejigging of the religious percentages might just rearrange the configuration. Remember in theory FF and FG are much of a muchness in religion and ideology but remain as split as they ever were and there is very little to do with faith.

By: OMF

OMF — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:13:24 +0000

Personally I think that the way things are going, by the time any referendum rolls around, the Republic may no longer exist in its present form.

By: Sober Sean

Sober Sean — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:16:33 +0000

Currently, the South can’t govern themselves, but lets say that a vote ignores economics and leads to Ireland containing three quarters of a million British citizens. Can you imagine the shit storm when Denis O’Brien takes away their BBC, Kenny taxes them to cover IMF loans and Bertie’s pension, or the Garda pull over yellow regs for not paying VRT?

By: John K

John K — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:34:19 +0000

Personally i’d rather the North govern themselves.Don’t think we in the south can help them nor do I want their problems