It would be a brilliant thing to see.Many Irish people hold resentment that NI is still British and if this happens I think it will end the old bitterness,time to move and start a new friendly relationship with Britain.

And well said below,it doesn't matter what religion you are your as Irish as the rest of us.A United Ireland is the right thing to do.Ireland has and always will be our Emmerald Island.

Posted by James | 06.07.09, 02:01 GMT

I'm an Ulster Protestant and the reality is that a United Ireland will happen in the future - I'd say within 20 years. I, personally, would have no problem with this. I am Irish and I feel Irish don't see why the whole island shouldn't be the same jurisdiction. It annoys me how some people try to claim that I am somehow less Irish just because I'm an Ulster Protestant. How dare the DUP dictate to me how I should feel or who I am?
When there is a United Ireland, we should continue to foster close links with Britain and ensure our traditions are enshrined in a new constitution. A new flag and anthem will need to be discussed too. The Euro presents no problem for me as I'm pro-EU anyway!

Posted by Tristan King | 02.05.09, 21:17 GMT

Northern Ireland has good industry and if this is handed over to the Republic it will be extremely beneficial to all of Ireland. Unity is the way forward for us all, Britain has plenty of industry on its own turf so hopefully they won't be too reluctant to give it back. I really hope I'm around to see a united Ireland.

Posted by John | 10.04.09, 17:28 GMT

All these opinions,every1 mouthing off.I live on 5miles from the north in donegal,were forgotten about up here by dublin- half the ones down the country think donegal is part of northern ireland which annoys me more because they dont even know there own country and then ask me if im green or blue they dont have a clue.im irish and support a united ireland and if it does ever happen although there will be more nonsense if it does happen at least then we might get noticed up here with the goverment having to help us more to stay in power because of the increase of voters up here.im in favour of it but not what will follow.hope im alive to see the day

Posted by Patrick | 31.03.09, 03:17 GMT

I was just reading many of the comments below and most of which are absolutely disgraceful. i see irishmen taking the mickey out of the northern counties.. and british people who quite obviously don't have a clue what has been going on here in the last 100 years. Ireland may have a bad economy, and may rely on other countries to help us out.. but it is mainly as a result of the state the island has been left in by the British over the years. Constant fighting has been going on. It really NEVER should have happened. Now, what do you expect us to do.. live like a third world country because of other people's mistakes. The british government even realise themselves that a lot of it was their fault. This is why they still invest much money into the Irish Government. Ireland has always proven that she can battle through any obstacle and always regain herself. We are a very proud nation and , dispite the border and conflict, are still one of the most united nations in the world!!

Posted by Chris | 16.02.09, 15:56 GMT

I haven't conveniently ignored anything I addressed the points raised in the article, not everything and the kitchen sink.. Perhaps you should familiarise yourself with the national accounts of the United Kingdom. Less is spent on Northern Irish education and health per head of population by the UK government than in Scotland and Wales. I just wonder who is the real burden in the UK these days. Recent devolution in Scotland and Wales does not change a thing for us. Maybe you have forgotten about recent Westminster attempts to introduce the same civil liberties into Northern Ireland as in GB. This only smacks of integrationism. I am in no way a fan of increased integration with England. Direct Rule ministers have been alarmingly ignorant of our needs in the past. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that Northern Ireland's economy now punches well above it's weight in comparison to three of the English regions. The idea of 'burden' being a reason for a split is ill-judged.

Posted by Conal Stewart | 13.01.09, 11:52 GMT

@Conal Stewart
You make very good points about the Irish Government failing to treat the counties outside Dublin with the same respect as Dublin. This is very true.

What you conveniently ignore is that the UK is breaking up i.e. Devolution in NI, Scotland and Wales, and when that happens who is going to keep giving you the big handouts to keep you afloat. NI is not some fancy prize, it is a burden, and it is going to come down to who is most willing to accept that burden.

Posted by Alan | 06.01.09, 12:30 GMT

There are a few simple reasons I'd say it's gonna be a no. The republic's economy is down the swanee and everyone knows it. I have no deisre to see the things my family get for free as a UK citizen suddenly disappear and have to pay for them, I bet most people feel the same). And lastly, look at what the Irish government has done to the northwestern 'sink counties' of Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal; they are dead counties. Who fancies the prospect of the Irish government igorning us ALL in the north just like they have been. No thanks, as soon as the Dublin government starts treating the rest of the south like it does anything within 50 or so miles of Dublin I'll be interested. Until then no.

Posted by Conal Stewart | 05.01.09, 14:02 GMT

Please
Who in the north would vote to pay €50 to see the doctor or €100 pe day to go into Hosital pay €484 to tax a 1800cc car lose DLA or mobility allowance look at the prices in the republics retailers were do they come to shop to get better value for their money? Here.
I would look forward to the marketing of this one.
It may be better to try a united Ireland within the UK.

Posted by Rory | 03.01.09, 23:22 GMT

But what i do not understand is why some of you say that you enjoy living in the UK? I am english, i do not feel i am part of the UK as in i can relate to NI, Wales or Scotland and feel connected to them in some way. I would see Northern Ireland as a different region entirely, i just cannot see the connection between the two and why it is so important, or this feeling of Britishness? Especially to the point of basic civil war for 30 years. Where does this come from? You live and are bought up in NI with your own culture, accents, views and needs. Why is this seen as a bad thing? Why do you want to feel British? Why not see yourselves as your own region or state, Northern Ireland and learn to govern yourselves effectively as your own region not as part of a union that does not seem to really exist?

Posted by sophie | 02.01.09, 21:11 GMT

Bothered. Who cares? There are more pressing things to concern ourselves with.

Posted by Gareth | 24.12.08, 23:18 GMT

I still have not heard one good reason for Norhtern Ireland to be united with the Republic of Ireland?

Saying 'A united Ireland is coming it should never have been divided in the first place' doesn't mean anything to me? I did not create our history, its in the past, I am only looking to the future, and when I look at what being a part of the United Kingdom offers the people of Northern Ireland, and I try to look at our future as part of a new United Ireland, I would rather be left alone.

Don't get me wrong, if I thought the majority of people wanted a United Ireland, then I would have to accept that, but they don't, regardless of religion, the majority of people in Northern Ireland are happy living in the UK. It is ironic, but I know people who have voted for Nationalist parties (myself included) who would not vote for a United Ireland.

So, without point scoring, what are the reasons and benifits for wanting to form a United Ireland?

Posted by Steven73 | 24.12.08, 11:45 GMT

Steve, the boom in the Irish economy over the last few years was a result of inward investment from multinational companies, due to low corporation tax rates, rather than this often quoted myth of EU subvension. N Ireland has received similar levels, per head, of EU funding. A lot of the funding was actually for cross border projects (eg the belfast to dublin rail service).

Liam og, while I feel that a united ireland is inevitable in the long term (say 30 years), the tone of reponses like yours will make it less likely. Pearse was good for the oneliners but he was also a sociopathic nutcase.

Posted by Gavin | 23.12.08, 10:26 GMT

To Liam óg , if your Ireland is such a great place then why have so many Irish people left to live in England ,the same England that was such an oppressor of Irish people ?
When did your Ireland become such a great place , was it after it received funding from the richer countries in the EC , like their supposed oppressor England ?
People like you need to forget the past , move on,be welcoming of other cultures not afraid of them.

Posted by Steve Douglas | 23.12.08, 09:34 GMT

Liam og "A united Ireland is coming"

Funny, your old man was probably saying the same thing.....and his old man before him, just as you, in all probability will be saying the same thing to your children and they in turn to their children until such time when one generation stands up and says, "you know what, I couldn't care less, quit harping on about the past, it's sooo boring...zzzzzz.....etc"

Think Uncle Albert from Only Fools & Horses and his "during the war...." stories.

Posted by mickey | 23.12.08, 09:17 GMT

Dream on Mr Murphy,it will not happen

Posted by james brown | 22.12.08, 22:19 GMT

In the words of Padraig Pearse "Ireland unfree shall never be at peace". A united Ireland is coming it should never have been divided in the first place. Typical British mentality 'divide and conquer'. Britian was once a great empire because of this tactic, now its a ruin as it struggles to hold on to one of its last colonies. Beidh ar lá linn!

Posted by Liam óg | 22.12.08, 18:56 GMT

@Steve W

You are the one who needs the history lesson. You said:

"The fate of the minority in the south is very different. They have fallen from about 10% to 6% of the population and even at this they are underrepresented in public office"

This 6% of the population have had 2 Presidents of Ireland since the 1930's. An outstanding achievement.

How man Catholics have held such a prominent position in Northern Ireland? Mayor of Belfast? What a joke!

Maybe we should look at your parent - the UK. How many Catholics have ascended to the throne in that timeframe - none, Catholics are banned from the Monarchy.

When it comes to equality, you should stop teaching your false history and start learning reality. Racism lies on one side of the border and it aint the southside.

While we are on the issue of equality, just to help you, we have had 2 female Presidents, and 3 who were born outside the state. We have had people of numerous races and faiths elected to the Dáil.

Posted by Alan | 22.12.08, 18:17 GMT

For whatever reasons, economical, political, nostalgic, cultural, some even driven by fear (the Protestant population in the Republic of Ireland has decreased from 10% in 1922 right down to just over 2% in 2006), to potentially what could be classed as simply bigotry, the fact of the matter is that the majority of people in Northern Ireland do not wish to become part of a United Ireland, they wish to remain part of the UK.

From my own perspective, I live in Belfast yet work in Dublin & Cork several days a week so I spend a lot of my time in the Republic, and while I like the people and have lots of friends and family in the south, I am very happy being part of the UK and have yet been given a reason to wish to join a United Ireland?

I was offered a great promotion last summer, a salary increase etc, dream job really, but it would have meant moving to Dublin, so I turned it down. Unfortunately some people don't want to accept that some of us actually love living in the UK.

Posted by Steven73 | 22.12.08, 09:54 GMT

Sigh. Ok Alan, let’s try this another way.

Since you’ve (unsurprisingly) avoided answering my straightforward question yet again and instead phaffed about with SF-esque rhetoric, I’ll change tack slightly.

Since (in your words) the GAA is both “democratic” and also “all Ireland” based, can you tell me if the flag and anthem of Northern Ireland – and the flag and anthem of the Irish Republic, are used in equal measure at "sports" events…..yes? no? maybe?

In the likely event we don’t hear back from you, festive salutations.

Posted by mickey | 22.12.08, 09:36 GMT