Irish unity is still highly unlikely

The big rush to form a united Ireland is on, as the panic sets in about border control and tariffs.

It is an auspicious time for Sinn Féin/IRA because they now have government support for a united Ireland, which they did not have previously in any great quantity.

Of course it is not that simple. Northern Ireland is not about to give up its status in the United Kingdom because Brexit is a problem south of the border. There is just too much history in Northern Ireland making unity highly unlikely.

The recent call for a united Ireland is convenient and shows that money is everything, not nostalgia such as 1916. The Republic’s crucial and cynical economic interests are at stake and all of a sudden there is a movement toward a unified state.

However, even in the extremely unlikely event that a united Ireland came about, London would still play its own economic game in a post-united Ireland scenario — so the problems of EU and non-EU countries would still be there.

The Republic is now in the business of grasping at straws in looking for a way out, as Britain leaves the EU and re-establishes its sovereignty and ends its huge payments. The EU cannot simply and arrogantly make Northern Ireland part of the EU again, in a united Ireland scenario.

It would still require the consent of the people in Northern Ireland and Good Friday Agreement amendments. Dublin seems to think it would automatically take over should the people in Northern Ireland leave the United Kingdom.

This may not happen and when it would come to the crunch, brinkmanship and cold feet could be the result of a Republic that bit off more than it could chew, in taking over Northern Ireland and all its problems?

It would certainly be a field day for smugglers and criminals who would enjoy the absence of any jurisdictional issues.

There would be significant crime management problems and a very real threat of a loyalist backlash to re-enter the United Kingdom, bringing a new Troubles all over again.

A united Ireland may produce a stronger island economy, which would be good, but it does not mean there would be problems with the non-EU countries. The island of Ireland lies on the far reaches of Europe presenting additional logistical problems and expense.

Ireland would still be tied into the United Kingdom economically and Sterling’s value. With this taken into account, would it matter that much if a united Ireland was to come about?

The Republic would still be in the shadow of a modern 21st century country.

Perhaps, Northern Ireland would bring the Republic forward a bit in a unified state, however it is unlikely it would change the old monolith retainers there.

The Republic needs to put its own shop of horrors in order before it even dreams of a united Ireland.

Maurice Fitzgerald, Shanbally, County Cork