to think that it wont be possible to "sneak" into ROI via NI?

[PyongyangKipperbang]

Not me, someone I know.

Supposed to be going to ROI to visit family and obviously now cant go direct, so she is thinking of going to Belfast and driving down through the border to ROI.

2 issues, with no proof of destination in NI , will they even be allowed off the boat? And isnt there a huge risk of being stuck there, which would mean missing work and would cause them massive money problems?

Because Arlene doesn’t think there should be a border because she sees Northern Ireland as an equal part of the uk

It would be an uncomfortable thing for the Unionists to do. And the more Sinn Féin push for it, the more difficult it is for the Unionists to do.

If she stays over new year as well she'd better make sure her car insurance is sorted for once we leave the EU. She might end up with a fine for breaking Covid rules and another one for being uninsured!

there is, erm, some history there.

Which is, indeed, one way to put it
@NiceGerbil

I get why the N/S border can't be closed. What I dont get is why ROI have made such a song and dance about stopping flights and ferries when all that a person needs to do is go in via the North

So, the sovereign state of Ireland ceed power over their borders to their former colonial power, because said former colonial power kept a toe hold on the island in Ireland which just happened to include a deep water harbour and in its time the world's largest shipbuilders.

Nice.

@FinallyHere

there is, erm, some history there.

Which is, indeed, one way to put it
@NiceGerbil

I get why the N/S border can't be closed. What I dont get is why ROI have made such a song and dance about stopping flights and ferries when all that a person needs to do is go in via the North

So, the sovereign state of Ireland ceed power over their borders to their former colonial power, because said former colonial power kept a toe hold on the island in Ireland which just happened to include a deep water harbour and in its time the world's largest shipbuilders.

Nice.

100% this.

@BashfulClam

Have Ireland not closed the British border similar to the way France etc have?

Yes Ireland have but the unionist politicians wouldn't agree to do that for NI. They are advising people not to travel but that's it.

If they can get into NI, they will be able to get down to the republic. That border is open.

She will get in no problem. She shouldn't be coming but no one will stop her and god love the politicians in the North they want to be free to catch the covid just like the rest of the UK as is their birth right so are refusing to close the airports.
The airports in Belfast and derry are full of ROI reg cars. Our towns are full of UK reg cars...

I live in Dublin and I think we should have had an all island approach to this from the start with NI following the same restrictions as the republic. It would have saved lived. NI is on fire with covid and it has spread into the border counties particularly.

The Irish border with NI has been a huge issue with Brexit too. It can't really be closed, legally (GFA) or practically.

@gabsdot45 - completely agree but no way would Arlene agree to anything that suggests moving closer to the south.

Border issues (between ROI and NI and between GB and NI) are obviously problematic for everyone in NI. Is it too much to ask people not to exploit it for personal gains?

[quote PyongyangKipperbang]@NiceGerbil

I am well aware of the history thank you, but what I dont get is why ROI made such a huge fuss about locking the front door when they have left the back door swinging wide open to all and sundry. All it takes is to change destination from Dublin to Belfast for anyone from England to get to the south, so what was the point in closing the South to flights and ferries?[/quote]
OMG
Seriously????

I just cant cope

Did you learn nothing from the Brexit and the British question/ Good Friday Agreement
People living and working on different sides of the border
300+ miles of countryside borders

The ignorance of the NI/ROI border astounds me every time

Omg at those of you who think there is an actual ‘British border’ on the island of Ireland

Idiots

I don’t get how people can be this monumentally tone deaf and have missed the 800 plus years of issues and the recent Troubles. And brexit.

The GFA is a legally binding international treaty. That’s why there can’t be a hard border. Because guarantees of free movement.

Uhm, English people in Tier 4 are not supposed to be flying.

The legal and unenforceable guidance is: people arriving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland should self-isolate for 10 days.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-55406075

what I dont get is why ROI made such a huge fuss about locking the front door when they have left the back door swinging wide open to all and sundry

There was no song and dance though, what makes you think that? Scores of other counties have done same.
The spineless DUP have caused this shit show.

@NoddyMcPintsAlot

what I dont get is why ROI made such a huge fuss about locking the front door when they have left the back door swinging wide open to all and sundry

There was no song and dance though, what makes you think that? Scores of other counties have done same.
The spineless DUP have caused this shit show.

It was not just the DUP who voted against blocking britain, the UUP and the Alliance did too. I know the Alliance claim to be neutral on the union but their background is moderate unionism.

@Luckystar1

I’m amazed generally at the levels of hypocrisy in Ireland. I live on the border in the North. We have people from the South coming up daily (I mean vast amounts of people), with Wicklow, Wexford, Cork plates, doing their shopping, not a bother on them.

Now seemingly up to collect their friends and family arriving in Belfast on flights that they booked (no one forced them to come back, you know!), again, not a bother on them. Thanks very much the North for your cheap groceries and open airports to get our Christmas food and our families home for Christmas.... and then, the cheek, saying ‘the North is a disgrace’, ‘we don’t want you coming over the border’, ‘how can you keep your airports open bringing in the new strain’!

Err it’s the people travelling who are bringing in the new strain, not the people of the North. The very same people being the ones who are travelling happily down the South with their families who have welcomed them back with open arms... and the same people who will no doubt be flying home from Belfast and spreading their germs around the airport to the poor craters working there!

I understand why you're angry @Littlestar1, but when pp are complaining about the North here, they don't mean the general population at all, but the politicians who won't close airports/ports. There are stupid, selfish people everywhere unfortunately and, yes, lots in the republic too. Us shutting our ports/airports is as much as we can do to protect our country. The plan of course backfires when NI politicians won't do the same. It's very hard on everybody then who's trying to protect theselves from Covid, North and South. The minority who ignore the rules are the problem in reality, but the NI rules regarding travelling are wide open to exploitation unfortunately.

How can people support Foster. I’ll never understand her take take is defensible under these circumstances.
And as for you “friend” OP, at best I hope she doesn’t infect anyone - I’m not wishing her a merry Christmas though. Her family here should have told her to not be so fucking selfish stay put. She’s not wanted here right now.
Our government have launched another big wave of restrictions kicking in on Christmas Eve so at least she’ll not get to bring her germs to our pubs, hotels or restaurants 😑

@Stillfunny

Getting more irate over this situation and not just about this individual. The ROI has closed the entry points that it can. The UK / Irish border is joint so ROI does not have full control. I live near border and there are checkpoints . But what a waste of resources that we have patrol against stupid , ignorant people. It is so selfish that these people think that their family gathering is more important than other families health. I know that in my neighbourhood that if we saw a relative that we know lives in UK around , they would hugely judged. And not many people would want to meet up in any way. Lots of people have had to make the tough decision to avoid family members this Xmas . An equal sacrifice is expected off everyone. So , this woman can possibly do what she plans but you cant argue with stupid. Moron.

That's it at the end of the day, it isn't Londoners or Northerners or Southerners at fault. It's the selfish fuckwits who have decided to sack the rules and go home for Christmas anyway.

Have Ireland not closed the British border similar to the way France etc have?

Ireland doesn't have a border with Britain.

Well yes Ireland have stopped the flights and ferries from Britain, like everyone else. But as many have pointed out, they can't stop people travelling from NI to the south. And NI refuse to stop ferries and flights from Britain.

The border Between Ireland and Britain is the Irish Sea

By Britain I mean the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales . I know there is a part of Britain on the island Of Ireland but GFA means no hard border there.

I think it would probably work. There are huge issues around having a closed border. They can't really do it without announcing The Troubles. If they do find a way, it will take a while to think of.

She can always wriggle though a hedge. That's a Thing. Maybe not the doing, but the talking about it."They can't stop me, I'll wriggle through a hedge if I have to." There are many, many hedges there for the wriggling through!