Do you think there will be a united Ireland before the end of the decade?

[KenDodd]

Yabu = no
Yanbu = yes

No I don't, much as I would like the island of Ireland to be one country. Even before the pandemic I thought it unlikely, now even more so.

My thinking is people voted for SF as the other parties were to busy sorting put Brexit and left all the important stuff behind, which was neccessary.
Mary Lou promised to catch up on everything. Lots have been burnt over the cervical smear scandal, SF promised to investigate.
I think the current government stood up when needed the most.

I do think at some point it will be just not for a long time.

I hope so.

Thank you all for answering.

My opinion (for the little it's worth) is I don't know but I think a united Ireland is closer now than ever before. For context I'm English, from the poorest part of Liverpool, grew up on benefits, both parents of Irish heritage (unfortunately too far back from me to get a passport) one Catholic, one Protestant. I think a united Ireland would be righting a historical wrong but the cost of doing so might be enormous turmoil and even violence/lives lost. I think the DUP have done more to bring about a united Ireland than SF could dream of. The thing that makes me most angry about Brexit is the pressure it places on the GFA, peace should have been sacristan and preserved above everything else, unfortunately just about every English person I know, didn't (doesn't) give a shit about Ireland. The lack of interest in England is a factor I think. I think the Tory government would actually benefit from dumping NI and I think they know this and are getting their ducks in a row accordingly.

Oh and as for the money and people being poorer. That didn't stop people voting for Brexit. I don't think it matters as much as we might think.

Even if most of the people were willing to give up the NHS

I'm not Irish at all, and it wouldn't be any of my business if NI did want to leave the UK (regardless of whether to join with RoI or to go it alone) - but as somebody who has never not lived being covered by the NHS (and maybe my opinions are coloured by being a heavy user of it by necessity), I think it would be a huge wrench for somebody to have had that and then willingly give it up.

I presume that, if/when Scotland goes it alone, they would/will have their own NHS run on broadly the same principles of the current UK-wide one, but if Ireland re-united again as one country, it would surely be NI falling in and harmonising under Dublin's existing system of governing principles rule rather than the other way around?

Just out of interest, is there any groundswell opinion or desire for Welsh independence?

In theory, I suppose England could decide to leave the UK (not sure what it would achieve, though) - that could be interesting! I wonder how that would pan out having a united tri-nation country of Scotland, Wales and NI without one massively dominant nation. Could be a massive success or a huge failure, who knows? Not that it would ever happen!

The Queen is 94, and I cannot imagine any U.K. government allowing any possibility for the break-up of the U.K. during her lifetime. For the same reason, I don’t think there will be another Scottish independence referendum in her lifetime.

Without wanting to speak too controversially, the question was about 'by the end of the decade' (yes, I know it technically ends on 31.12.20, but not in common parlance). That's 10 more years and the Queen is, as you say, already 94, so I don't think anybody can necessarily guarantee her seeing 2030....

*Dublin's existing system of governing principles rule

ignore the random 'rule' - also massive overuse of the word massively....

Maybe Ireland will unite with Northern Ireland to also become part of the United Kingdom.

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll NHS is already a devolved power in Scotland with responsibility at Holyrood not Westminster. Many things are but notable exceptions are Defence and Social Security, Work and Pensions.

@Moonmelodies - Maybe Ireland will unite with Northern Ireland to also become part of the United Kingdom.

Ireland spending 800+ years enduring British oppression makes that a rather unlikely outcome.

I think Brexit has brought the prospect of a united Ireland much closer. However, while I am a nationalist, I want unity to evolve naturally, rather than being a bitter pill swallowed by unionists as it makes more sense economically. Natural evolution would probably result in peaceful reunification. An economic reaction to Brexit is likely to result in a controversial reunification with consequent violence.

Maybe Ireland will unite with Northern Ireland to also become part of the United Kingdom 🤣 That will never ever happen. 🙈

Maybe Ireland will unite with Northern Ireland to also become part of the United Kingdom.

Is that supposed to be a joke?

Maybe Ireland will unite with Northern Ireland to also become part of the United Kingdom.

Like feck we will! The nation will be out in the streets. Great resurgence moment for the 'ra though.

I think that is someone displaying an English person's woeful ignorance of Irish History.

Oh and as for the money and people being poorer. That didn't stop people voting for Brexit. I don't think it matters as much as we might think.

If you go back 30/40 years ideological fervour would have overcome economics. But after the last recession the mood in the republic changed a lot.

To be honest, people have a lot less romantic attachment to the idea of a United Ireland. The fact that it’s going to cost big is a major barrier for something that people don’t feel strongly about.

But brexit does change things. The idea of a border is too ridiculous to be countenanced.

And with CV, it’s all up in the air. I think the UK will emerge from the next few years much diminished and much poorer. Who knows where the NHS will be? A lot depends on how the economics play out across the two countries.

I think that is someone displaying an English person's woeful ignorance of Irish History.

Fuck me.

Moonmelodies, do you think the U.K. will unite with France? Makes about the same amount of sense as your post.

Maybe Ireland will unite with Northern Ireland to also become part of the United Kingdom.

Gosh, what a pithy political insight. How we all wish we had had the wit to make it.

I have to say im a bit sick of hearing this 'celtic union' piss.

Sometimes it's better for countries to forget past differences, and join together for the common good.

hhhmmm I don't know. As an Irish person (Republic) I think it would be great to have the country united again but I think the first few years would be tough financially for both NI and the Republic but eventually we'd be better off together. The resurgence of violence would be a big worry though

Sometimes it's better for countries to forget past differences, and join together for the common good.

Absolutely. The U.K. should open up talks with France then on unification strategy, whattaya think?

Sometimes it's better for countries to forget past differences, and join together for the common good.

Perhaps the UK would like to become part of the Republic of Ireland, then? These days Ireland is in considerably better shape.

A lot also depends on how SF performs, north and south. After their great election win here, they’ve shown little sign of being able to capitalise on their victory.

Maybe Ireland will unite with Northern Ireland to also become part of the United Kingdom.

bahahahahaha...........no thanks