United Ireland on menu again

[daib0]

More pressure from outside?

Europe could allow a united Ireland to join EU after Brexit

Leaders expected to discuss statement at weekend summit that if the island reunifies, the north will automatically regain EU membership

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... -for-north



Will it fall on 'deaf' ears, or just no chance of happening?

[Deleted User 3289]

I'm all for it. History is history, time to build bridges and knock-down barriers.

[White Knight]

This is just ensuring that all elements of the Good Friday agreement are honoured now and can be honoured in the future. If there was a vote by a majority of people in Northern Ireland at some stage for a united Ireland, it would be poor planning, to say the least, if you then had to apply for EU membership for the northern counties.

The reunification of Germany set the precedent as East Germany was absorbed into the EU at the same time as it became part of the new enlarged Germany.

[johnh]

Er, don't lose sight of the fact that this is primarily the EU being devious (as with Gibraltar) ahead of Brexit negotiations.

[White Knight]

Er, don't lose sight of the fact that this is primarily the EU being devious (as with Gibraltar) ahead of Brexit negotiations.

Not so in this case John.

The Irish government have looked for this clause so that all elements of the Good Friday Agreement are honoured. It is not the EU throwing stones at Britain. Areas close to the border, on both sides have been disadvantaged for decades, but since the Agreement their standard of living has increased, employment rates are up and the quality of life for everyone has improved. This is now all up in the air again with Brexit, in spite of a majority in Northern Ireland have voted to Remain. No one knows what the border will look like and the implications of it, except that if it is more than it is now, (non-existent), then literally the barriers will go up, trade will be hindered and division recreated. No one believes this should happen.

Aside from the main obvious political and cultural differences on the island of Ireland, there are many that feel the island would fare better economically as one unit, whatever that would look like politically. Agriculture, fisheries, tourism (to name but a few) are all working on an all island basis now and everyone gains from it. Dublin and Belfast are both on the up and are closely linked in many ways economically and many people travelling in both directions between them for work. The corridor between them is benefitting as well because of this connection. A border that stops/slows people and goods now would be a disaster for both sides and everyone knows it.

The Irish government is now simply looking for a confirmation from the EU that if a political change ever did occur, a question about membership of the EU wouldn't hinder any such agreement.