08-09-2019, 08:03 AM
** 09-Aug-2019 World View: Reunification of Ireland with Northern Ireland
From EuroIntel:
Could a no-deal Brexit fuel unification for Ireland?
With high chances of a no-deal Brexit, the debate about a border poll
on uniting Northern Ireland and the Republic is re-emerging. While at
this point such a scenario is still hypothetical even if the UK were
to crash out of the EU without a deal in October, no-deal Brexit may
well accelerate the the process and increase the likelihood of such a
poll. A debate about it is always tricky as it easily engages the
hearts more than the minds of unionists loyal to the UK, and of Irish
nationalists who may think of unification as creating just a bigger
Ireland.
Leo Varadkar struck the right tone in Northern Ireland by saying that
a united Ireland would be a different state with a different
constitution. The process would not be one of annexation or
territorial addition. He made no reference to German unification, or
to former prime minister Enda Kenny. During his time in office Kenny
received reassurance from the EU that after unification it would
automatically re-admit Northern Ireland without the Republic having to
reapply for EU membership. Ireland would gain more territory, that was
it. One can see why this did not go down well with the unionists.
Varadkar firmly put his feet on different ground. A new constitution,
and a different if not a new state, would be the result of
unification. The constitution of a united Ireland would have to sort
out many differences. For once the official language in Ireland is
Gaelic, while it is English in Northern Ireland. The head of state is
the president in the Republic and the Queen for Northern
Ireland. There are different anthems, currencies, measurements, flags
and capitals. All emotional issues for many.
But a new constitution is not so straightforward either, writes Newton
Emerson. According to the Belfast agreement, two separate border polls
would have to be held on the issue of unification. In the Republic a
campaign for a new constitution could well alienate those who are fond
of the existing one. In Northern Ireland, the argument for unification
may have better chances to win as British politics is currently highly
unpredictable, divisive, and against the basic interests of most in
the North.
Under a no-deal Brexit, unification suddenly becomes a credible
goal. But to win this poll, the government has to stay clear of
trouble with an alternative that neither sides will refuse.
From EuroIntel:
Could a no-deal Brexit fuel unification for Ireland?
With high chances of a no-deal Brexit, the debate about a border poll
on uniting Northern Ireland and the Republic is re-emerging. While at
this point such a scenario is still hypothetical even if the UK were
to crash out of the EU without a deal in October, no-deal Brexit may
well accelerate the the process and increase the likelihood of such a
poll. A debate about it is always tricky as it easily engages the
hearts more than the minds of unionists loyal to the UK, and of Irish
nationalists who may think of unification as creating just a bigger
Ireland.
Leo Varadkar struck the right tone in Northern Ireland by saying that
a united Ireland would be a different state with a different
constitution. The process would not be one of annexation or
territorial addition. He made no reference to German unification, or
to former prime minister Enda Kenny. During his time in office Kenny
received reassurance from the EU that after unification it would
automatically re-admit Northern Ireland without the Republic having to
reapply for EU membership. Ireland would gain more territory, that was
it. One can see why this did not go down well with the unionists.
Varadkar firmly put his feet on different ground. A new constitution,
and a different if not a new state, would be the result of
unification. The constitution of a united Ireland would have to sort
out many differences. For once the official language in Ireland is
Gaelic, while it is English in Northern Ireland. The head of state is
the president in the Republic and the Queen for Northern
Ireland. There are different anthems, currencies, measurements, flags
and capitals. All emotional issues for many.
But a new constitution is not so straightforward either, writes Newton
Emerson. According to the Belfast agreement, two separate border polls
would have to be held on the issue of unification. In the Republic a
campaign for a new constitution could well alienate those who are fond
of the existing one. In Northern Ireland, the argument for unification
may have better chances to win as British politics is currently highly
unpredictable, divisive, and against the basic interests of most in
the North.
Under a no-deal Brexit, unification suddenly becomes a credible
goal. But to win this poll, the government has to stay clear of
trouble with an alternative that neither sides will refuse.
