NI Census 2021

Having TDs does not mean being in government. SF have plenty of TDs. Those comfortable in NI currently will be concerned about SF having authority over staunch, loyalist areas. A way has to be found to resolve this.

It would not be continued partition.

There is no 'UI by the terms of the GFA'. Nothing is spelt out as to how it would function. That's why we're having the debate. If you want a UI then you have to win over those in NI right now who are comfortable with the status quo. Recent census shows 29% identify as Irish. Not enough basis there any time soon for the kind of UI people on here seem to think is possible in the near future. Most people in NI identify as British or Northern Irish. How are they to be won over in a border poll if they would stand to lose influence rather than gain it?

It's not tantamount to a veto; it's a stake in the decision-making progress. They wouldn't have more or less influence than other members of the cabinet.

The constitution of a UI would have to be written anew. If you aren't offering those settled in NI presently clout in a UI, why would they bother voting for it?

I refer you to the article posted earlier in the Irish News on FF's Jim O'Callaghan:

Most pundits seem to expect if SF are to go into government in the south, it will be alongside FF. If these are the noises coming from FF, then that is likely where the debate on unity is heading. Not going to be a good look if the coalition partners in government can't agree on how a potential UI will function. I'm not aware of serious proposals put forward in recent times by politicians on unity that don't involve unionists having considerable sway.

In fairness you seem to be very much with it for a guy in his late 80's !

Northern nationalists would have equal rights (if not more) since they would be represented by the largest power bloc.

What it boils down to, ultimately, is the Irish establishment will not proceed with any plan that could see staunch loyalist areas under the direct influence of nationalist politicians only. They will come up with whatever proposal they have to in order to avoid that scenario because they are worried about civil war. And it is the Irish establishment that will be the ones who devise the blue paper that the border poll will be based on. Anyone that thinks FF or FG are going to countenance allowing SF have control over East Belfast, North Antrim etc. when they can't even stomach SF running the 26 are kidding themselves.

I don't see that as being a runner.

What I could countenance would be four provincial assemblies each with a lot of local powers. Ulster would of course include Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan.

It'd be good to move some powers out of Dublin and allow some form of genuine local government, rather than the current county manager system which completely negates the idea of local government.

Where is the partition?

Won't work, because Limerick and Waterford people won't vote for Cork to take them over. The only workable federal solution involves the existing states.

Local government in Ireland has proven itself spectacularly unfit for purpose.

No, never said that, once again, you put words in other posters' mouths. Respond to the point raised, not the one you imagine or wish was raised.

SF would go into government with anyone who gave them a majority AND allowed them to apply their policies, or most of them. If the UUP did that (unlikely, but you never know) then SF would form a coalition with them if they were the best fit. More likely - to be realistic - UUP would form a coalition with the conservative wing: FF-FG-GP.

As for unionists voting to end partition, well they won't do that. Any unionist who votes to end the "union" by definition is not a unionist. An ex-unionist perhaps, a would-be unionist, again maybe, but more like a realist than a unionist.

and what area do you think this would encompass? As far as I can see, the only areas where there is a secure Protestant majority are the centre and northwest of Co Antrim, and the Northern half of Co Down - and even there, you have two problems. The first is that these areas are not contiguous and the second is that when push comes to shove many Protestants will just accept the new status quo, so you may not have sufficient numbers even in this heartland of yours.

All other areas have too many CNRs to be included in your new autonomy. But if you feel it is worth it, go for it. Two half-counties out of six. Sorry, I mean out of thirty-two!

What's so awful about living in a UI brought about by the democratic decision of your compatriots?

Ulster scots is native to Ireland? Not according to the Ulster Scots Agency, it isn't.

There's a hint in the word "Scots" there. It's at best a dialect of the Scottish version of English; at worst it's a version of English with a few Scottish-sounding words. And they don't even roll their Rs like the Scottish do.

And for this very reason, their website is almost entirely in standard English. This makes it hard to work out what exactly they are promoting, apart from highland dancing, Lambeg drums along with a touch of a funny version of English.

So you want to split the 6 counties three ways then, do you? The unionist majority area, the "Northern Irish" majority area, and the CNR majority area? And maybe you could split off a fourth bit, where none of the above are in the majority. Spiffing idea, old chap.

It is not spelt out how a UI will function in the GFA but it is spelt out how it happens.... both jurisdictions of Ireland need a border poll to pass.

A border poll wont be called unless it looks like the majority want it north and south. So untill then the final details of what it will look like wont be known.