In a Sunday paper today, the one owned by Denis O’Brien, a regular contributor from Cork, Eoghan Harris writes: “But since Arlene Foster and Gerry Adams between them have forced the united Ireland nonsense back on the agenda we have to ask ourselves three questions.”
This seriously deluded man, Harris, declares that it was Arlene Foster and Gerry Adams who forced the issue of a united Ireland back on the agenda. Nothing to do with the Brexit vote or nothing to do with the March election when Sinn Fein came within one seat of the DUP! Nothing to do with the desire in the hearts of many, including unionists, to reunify this country. It’s all down to Arlene and Gerry.
How can this man get away with writing such nonsense week after week?
Whenever the subject of Irish reunification is raised in any serious manner, you can be sure that you will see letters to the editor and articles by Harris and his ilk with all kinds of spurious objections to any talk of Irish reunification. The Belfast Telegraph will give over pages to those, like John Bruton and Harris, who are totally opposed to any discussion of a reunifiedIreland. These critics want to stop, in its tracks, discussion of this issue. It is, according to these dinosaurs, always either “too soon” or “too insensitive”. These opponents of reunification will just have to get used to the subject of Irish reunification being discussed because it will be very much on the agenda from now on – ever since Brexit and ever since the election. When Brexit is implemented, it is bound to change the relationship Ireland will have with London as it will change the relationship that Scotland will have withWestminster. Nothing will ever be the same again.
Already, Nicola Sturgeon has expressed her desire for another Scottish referendum for Scottish independence. No commentator is referring to this as ‘nonsense’. Scotland voted by a majority to Remain in Europe. So did the north of Ireland.
It is time to look at the issue from a political and economic viewpoint. From now on sensible, rational people will ignore the silly objections and engage in a real debate about the economic future of this small island as it is presented by Kevin Meagher and others in a coherent and convincing way. Meagher’s book, ‘A United Ireland’ is a book that everyone, including Harris, should read.
Discussion about the merits of having a reunited Ireland has begun. The debate has been going on in universities around the country. That is probably the most heartening thing. It has been mentioned more than once by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, and now the Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, has issued a 12 point plan. Even though he denies he is trying to upstage Sinn Féin, he is clearly trying to compete with them for republican votes. But whatever his motives, he has contributed to the debate.
Many now believe that the negative impact of Brexit on the economy of this island will persuade unionists to think further and more deeply about the benefits of being in a reunified Ireland. I think the proposal will eventually find favour with most reasonable members of the unionist community if ways are found for them to protect their cultural identity. The Orange order has survived pretty well in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan. There will always be a few who will never want any truck with the Dublin/Irish government. But that is not really the issue. We are not talking about simply grafting the 6 counties onto the 26 counties.
The time is coming when the unionist community will have to think more seriously about their future in a re-unified Ireland rather than remaining attached to a United Kingdom. As Unionist commentator, Alec Kane, said recently, there will be a large unionist constituency that will be swayed by economic arguments. The challenge will be to find the common ground that will convince those interested in building a new and inclusive society. With another Scottish referendum now on the cards, and more likely to succeed, it is time to think about the economic and political future of Ireland. This must be done out of concern for the future of the young people and the building of a viable economy on this island. It should be done on the basis of equality and protecting the rights of all citizens. The likes of Corkman Harris should never be allowed to hinder the discussion on how we are to reach that objective. The question must be asked of the opponents-what are they afraid of?
Interesting article, but Joe misquotes Alec Kane. What he actually said was that a large part of the unionist constituency would not be swayed by economic arguments, adding that their attachment to the Union goes beyond material considerations. I think that he is correct, so the challenge will be to build a vision of a United Ireland that is genuinely inclusive, celebrating diversity … and, of course, the British government must become a ‘persuader’ for a United Ireland, confirming what we already know … that the British people are indifferent (at best) to whether or not the union with part of Ireland is maintained.
The leader of the British people has affirmed and reaffirmed that she is a unionist and values the union above all else. The original them and us. As for Owen Harris (the Irish name fools nobody) he is the original good time that has been had by all.
Yes, the unionist cause is supported from London and Dublin
It is time the Irish people had a say about that
Id like to think the PM of the United Kingdom was a Unionist fiosrach.
If she wasn’t a Unionist what else would she be? An English nationalist?
A neutral ring holder in an agitated colony with no selfish,strategic interest. As opposed to pandering to a right wing minority which may be useful in a future tight vote.
What were the three questions he thinks we have to ask Joe?
Sorry, I don’t read newspapers either
If you ask most people Eoghan Harris ? They will say who ?
scotland had their vote.it was stay…whats all this looking to rerun elections when the result doesnt suit.
Clearly the situation has changed massively since then…..ie Brexit.
yes the situation has changed massively,parts of scotland are now overrun with unwanted bogus refugees and migrants and the people want it stopped.add on a hard border,tell them they will be getting the euro ect and the vote will be a bigger stay.
Does anyone with two brain cells to rub together seriously allow their opinions to be moulded by reading newspapers, or watching TV for that matter? I hope not. The thing that really bothers me is the worry that Fr Joe has actually committed the cardinal sin of actually buying the newspaper in question. Whatever about reading it on-line, sometimes you can get a bit of amusement to brighten up your day, but to actually BUY it. Enough said.
If we are all so level headed why do you think billions are spent on advertising? You may think that you are too smart to be affected by rubbishy papers but constant dripping wears away a stone. I mean,those people over here of a unionist disposition, have been told and have told themselves so often that they are British that they believe it. In fact they are Irish people who have been allowed to hold British citizenship. This is a reward for presenting their menfolk for slaughter in England’s many wars.
Why do you think the first thing an invading army does is either take over the tv and radio stations or destroy them?
The media plays a massive part in shaping attitudes etc
“How can this man get away with writing such nonsense week after week?”
He gets away with it because he writes for what is basically a Pro-British paper for all of its history and is today owned by a Blueshirt whose corruption is legendary in Irish history. It has never been more than a rag and today more than ever! There is. Itching Irish or Independent about it!
Surely the English made it crystal clear 25 years ago when Peter Brooke pronounced that they have no strategic, selfish or economic interest in the north. Compare that to the lengths they went to in order to keep Scotland in the union. Great Britain might be important in their eyes but certanly not the UK. So I think England will become a persuader for Urish reunification in the coming years. Everybody knows that the UK and Britain for that matter are finished.
Yes, Freddie, they did make it clear – crystal clear.
I can understand that Republicans have something gain by pretending otherwise, but for Unionists to do so, or worse still to actually think that Northern Ireland’s place in the Union is safe, is… odd, to say the least.
It’s simple, NI’s place in the Union is over, everything else is rearranging chairs on the Titanic. We’ve already hit the iceberg and we’re going down, while the band plays God Save the Queen.
A recent Red C poll gave 65% in favor of a United Ireland with Munster coming in last at 54% It is interesting that Munster which is the province that take the least to do with the North should be least in favor of a UI. It shows that there is alot of good will to the North from those who know us and alot of work to be done with those who don’t know us.
It is up to us that are in favor of a UI to persaude those who are not. I would be intersted in knowing why they are not in favor of a UI and what could be done to persaude them of the benifits. What is the main fear factor involved and why are they so spooked by the idea. What kind of people are in favor and what kind of people are against the idea. People like Eoghan Harris might lead us to the answers to some of these questions.
People in Munster, who were least affected by our troubles, are least interested in a united Ireland, because they only have access to Denis O’Brien owned newspapers, and Denis O’Brien influenced RTE!
Colman, Sammy Wilson having speaking rights in the Dial! That might be one reason why they’re dyin to reunify?
Yeah the thought had occured to me. Why bring in 800,000 people to your country who don’t want to be there. We have alot of work to do.
Like your ideas! I believe that most of those in the south who are against UI eel that way out of ignorance and fear both of which are fed to themin a constant barrage and on a daily basis by Whitehall through their minions and paid servants in the Irish media, people such as Dinny O’Brien and Eighan Harris. Harris is a Sticky of Old and is a very dangerous man!!
And what about the 800 000 that do?
I see it as the shackles are coming off and we can finally be free to build a real country of our own Peter.
Sooner or later we will have to face up to reality and decide if we work together to build or as you say, more and more unionists will see it as a ship sinking and decide to scuttle the ship before making for the lifeboats back to blighty.
“more and more unionists will see it as a ship sinking and decide to scuttle the ship before making for the lifeboats back to blighty.”
But if I might continue with the Titanic analogy for a moment, there aren’t enough lifeboats, so it will be well-educated (first class) passengers only – and that’s not good for any country.
NI Protestants who go to Britain to study often stay away. Catholics too. It’s time to stop pretending that Queen’s is a serious university: look at the various geniuses in the Assembly who are Queen’s graduates. Arlene, say. The British government should be encouraged to offer resettlement grants to anyone in NI who wants to relocate to Britain, in the context of reunification. I imagine that that would help move things along.
I agree completely Peter.
Is it not about time we put the past behind us and worked things out in all of our best interests?
England is bearing it’s nationalist teeth, while the republic is secularising at a pace. Meanwhile Brexit is forcing Irish people across the island to employ a bit more lateral thinking than usual. Of course we will always have the antedeluvian amongst us, like the tragic Tom Elliott, but their days are numbered. Who would have thought back in June when everything seemed so bleak, that fortunes could potentially be turned on their head in such a peremptory manner. A salutary lesson to the more insular and narrow minded in society.
That should be, ‘baring teeth’ obviously.
Very well said!!