As a former unionist I could have a stab at some of this.
If this united Ireland is simply a front for corporate power (as the north & south is currently) then we are all losers & it will be a mess.
Let’s have an honest united Ireland where Irish people north & south Catholic & Protestant, Muslim, atheist, male, female, nationalist, republican, unionist, loyalist & others are in charge & not some shadowy elite as has been the case for 800 years.
Ireland must have the power to create its own money and spend it into circulation to fund unification & bringing the two jurisdictions into harmony. This would be based on the Japanese model after WWII where the Japanese government created the money it needed for restructuring. Without this you have nothing & Ireland will continue to be a tax haven & playground for the rich while the people live in fear. Any talk of ‘equality’ will be meaningless. (See the film ‘Princes of Yen’ on you tube -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ac7ap_MAY&t=571s ).
Ulster* should have its own federal assembly – as should Leinster, Munster, Connacht. The old province of Mide – removed by Henry VIII – should also be reinstated.
*That can be the old 9 county Ulster.
The federal assemblies & county councils would have a similar power to create a currency to circulate locally to fund services.
The re-worked relationship with the UK must be based on equality and not subservience. Similarily the relationship with the EU must be closely examined to allow Ireland to re-structure & have its own money creation power. If this cannot be done within the EU Ireland should leave.
No special place for any church. All churches should pay tax.
There should be a Bill of Rights & a constitution.
All legacy issues would have to dealt with prior to unification. Full compensation paid to all victims.
Can London be persuaded to hand over sovereignty to Dublin and to make a contribution for a period of, say, 50 years?
This will be the crux of the matter. Britain, especially England, owes it to Ireland to make a very substantial contribution to our country considering what misery they’ve showered us with over the last 800-900 years. Money will be the deciding factor for both Unionists and Nationalists….I’m sorry to say.
1) United and independent to make its own decisions.
2) Those who have a sole loyalty to the people of Ireland
3) No more than anyone else
4) Who knows apart from London
5) They will be treated like everyone else
6) Nothing whatsoever
7) They will be willing to pay for the upkeep of Ireland
8) They will be wiling to pay for the upkeep of Ireland
9) Yes
10) Not an issue
My vision of a United Ireland is not an extension of the current so called ‘republic’. It is a whole different ball game. Separation of church and state, which some unionists might balk at seeing how they owe allegiance to a country that has strong church/state ties. As for the cost, Britain can not just pack up and leave, they will have to pay several billions as compensation for their centuries of oppression. Unionists should throw their lot in with the rest of us, they would have genuine influence in any Irish parliament. Instead of being cheerleaders who sit at the back of the English parliament listening to English politicians none of them voted for.
Genuine respect for religion, which means ending the virulent anti-Catholicism of modern establishment Ireland.
Acceptance of diversity in education.
With the United States, join the Commonwealth as Associate Members after re-unification.
Give Irish citizenship in perpetuity to the British monarch.
Provincial administrations in a more federated Ireland have an attraction…but experience suggests people are more attached to the parochial and the national than the regional. There is no attraction for Louth in being in a regional set up administered from Naas, or Kilkenny.
As a former unionist I could have a stab at some of this.
If this united Ireland is simply a front for corporate power (as the north & south is currently) then we are all losers & it will be a mess.
Let’s have an honest united Ireland where Irish people north & south Catholic & Protestant, Muslim, atheist, male, female, nationalist, republican, unionist, loyalist & others are in charge & not some shadowy elite as has been the case for 800 years.
Ireland must have the power to create its own money and spend it into circulation to fund unification & bringing the two jurisdictions into harmony. This would be based on the Japanese model after WWII where the Japanese government created the money it needed for restructuring. Without this you have nothing & Ireland will continue to be a tax haven & playground for the rich while the people live in fear. Any talk of ‘equality’ will be meaningless. (See the film ‘Princes of Yen’ on you tube -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ac7ap_MAY&t=571s ).
Ulster* should have its own federal assembly – as should Leinster, Munster, Connacht. The old province of Mide – removed by Henry VIII – should also be reinstated.
*That can be the old 9 county Ulster.
The federal assemblies & county councils would have a similar power to create a currency to circulate locally to fund services.
The re-worked relationship with the UK must be based on equality and not subservience. Similarily the relationship with the EU must be closely examined to allow Ireland to re-structure & have its own money creation power. If this cannot be done within the EU Ireland should leave.
No special place for any church. All churches should pay tax.
There should be a Bill of Rights & a constitution.
All legacy issues would have to dealt with prior to unification. Full compensation paid to all victims.
Can London be persuaded to hand over sovereignty to Dublin and to make a contribution for a period of, say, 50 years?
This will be the crux of the matter. Britain, especially England, owes it to Ireland to make a very substantial contribution to our country considering what misery they’ve showered us with over the last 800-900 years. Money will be the deciding factor for both Unionists and Nationalists….I’m sorry to say.
1) United and independent to make its own decisions.
2) Those who have a sole loyalty to the people of Ireland
3) No more than anyone else
4) Who knows apart from London
5) They will be treated like everyone else
6) Nothing whatsoever
7) They will be willing to pay for the upkeep of Ireland
8) They will be wiling to pay for the upkeep of Ireland
9) Yes
10) Not an issue
My vision of a United Ireland is not an extension of the current so called ‘republic’. It is a whole different ball game. Separation of church and state, which some unionists might balk at seeing how they owe allegiance to a country that has strong church/state ties. As for the cost, Britain can not just pack up and leave, they will have to pay several billions as compensation for their centuries of oppression. Unionists should throw their lot in with the rest of us, they would have genuine influence in any Irish parliament. Instead of being cheerleaders who sit at the back of the English parliament listening to English politicians none of them voted for.
Genuine respect for religion, which means ending the virulent anti-Catholicism of modern establishment Ireland.
Acceptance of diversity in education.
With the United States, join the Commonwealth as Associate Members after re-unification.
Give Irish citizenship in perpetuity to the British monarch.
Provincial administrations in a more federated Ireland have an attraction…but experience suggests people are more attached to the parochial and the national than the regional. There is no attraction for Louth in being in a regional set up administered from Naas, or Kilkenny.