3
After Brexit, the question was asked many times. The votes clearly showed that Northern Ireland was against leaving Europe, whereas the Republic of Ireland, now separate from the northern part of the island by an international border, is still a EU-member.
Let's see the different arguments for and against:
Arguments in favor of reunification:
-Northern Ireland was originally one part of the Ulster province which was dominantly inhabited by Unionists, and created against the wishes of the Independentists, who represented the major part of the Irish population.
-People from Éire and from Ulster share the same ethnicity.
-When Great Britain was still belonging to the EU, there was no visible international border separating the Republic of Ireland from Ulster. Citizens from both countries could freely travel, no passport or ID card were required. Technically, it was as if the whole island was united.
-Because border controls will be necessary, Brexit will negatively affect free trade between the two parts of the island
-Ireland used to be very poor compared to Britain. In fact, it used to be one of the poorest states of Europe. But thanks to EU membership and EU's single market, low tax rates and government grants, Ireland managed to attract. foreign investors, and since Ireland is an English-speaking country, it housed the European headquarters of several American trusts and corporations.
Furthermore, the majority of the growth has been courtesy of Brussels. Ireland has received since 1973 more than €50 billion from the EU (for €10 billion paid to EU-budget). The "Celtic tiger" became wealthier than its British neighbor, and although the Irish econmy suffered from the 2008 world crisis, it's now recovering and rising the head again. GDP per capita is still higher in Ireland than in the UK.
-The Northern Ireland conflict that lasted 30 years, which causes were more political than religious, is now over. Northern Ireland is pacified since 1998.
-Nonetheless, the paramilitaries are still active in Northern Ireland. Brexit could relaunch terrorism.
-Last but not least, there's only one Irish team in rugby, made up of players from Éire and Ulster. Unification is a reality in sports, so why not in real life?
Arguments against reunification:
-Honestly, I can't see any valid reason demonstrating why Ireland should not reunify (feel free to leave a comment if you find one), apart from the fact that the Union Jack would be ridiculous with an amputated Saint Patrick's Cross.
Bookmarks