Northern Ireland: mission accomplished

[Nathanial]

I don't know seems alot of people, in general not talking specifically bout these forums, are misinformed over the Northern Ireland situation. Rarely are soldiers actually patrolling the streets, the PSNI do that, army are relatively unused the last few years more a support role or for british figures visiting.

as for the comment it will be solved when Ireland is united, strong nationlist view, which isnt really that strong within the country.

The majority of Northern Irish people are neither nationalist nor unionist in reality, they only vote those parties out of fear that is they dont the minority of Northern Ireland will get their way.

example:

Main Unionist Party: DUP
Main Nationalist Party: Sinn Feín

in general protestants vote DUP - Catholics vote Sinn Feín, other parties are present but these are the two big guns. Alot of people vote for these parties as if one gets a big enough majority in parliment (Which by the way is Stormont and based in Belfast, although N.Ireland Assembly ministers also hold Westminster seats) they will turn Northern Ireland into a Protestant/Catholic state depending on which gets the majority.

Now myself being prostestant don't really agree with 100% with DUP and they have had quite extreme views at some points but Sinn Feín are easily on par being linked with IRA, hence the term "Sinn Feín IRA". Whereas my girlfriend being catholic doesnt agree with Sinn Feín. Basically people want to vote for more moderate parties but a fear of the "Other side" getting a big majority holds them back which is sad.

Although recently Sinn Feín and DUP have started to share power and work together, finally realising that Northern Ireland is no longer a divided country like it once was and would rather live peacefully rather than bickering over religion, or so say the majority of Northern Irish citizens.

People tend to have a rather distorted view over Northern Ireland that we are at each others throats, and are always arguing and bickering over things but in reality it is nothing like that most people dont care about which religion you are and it has been like that for a long long time. Infact most people that use religion as an excuse for violence are those that practise it least.

kinda dragged on and lost track of my point but feel free to ask me to explain anything about Northern Ireland, I may only be young but I take interest in it and between my family and my girlfriends family I have talked to people that have been caught up in quite serious troubles within the 1970's (worst troubles in northern ireland) and generally so have got a pretty even picture of things.

End

Edit: as for these people bringing up Cromwell, that was a long long time ago and introduced protestantism to ireland, this is linked to the troubles of the last 40 years but I think it is time to stop bringing up things like that. Although funnily enough it seems to be everyone but the Irish that actually argue over these things themselves more, without as much reason to do so.

[removeduser_3482674582374]

Good to hear about the stabilization of the situatuation in NI, I have been reading about it the last 2 years and was really impressed by the strange status of NI and RoI...anyway lets hope the IRA dont get going again and that RoI and UK governments solve the problem as to where the people decide they want to be part of...I think it's all about what the people really want, in my opinion they should have elections for the people to decide...But the most important thing is the stopping of the raids from the IRA, which prevented the continuation of the talks between the 2 countries... A happy day for the world indeed!!!

With Honor

Polemidas.

[Luftwaffels]

Although recently Sinn Feín and DUP have started to share power and work together, finally realising that Northern Ireland is no longer a divided country like it once was and would rather live peacefully rather than bickering over religion, or so say the majority of Northern Irish citizens.

Well, I think religion stopped being the problem a while ago.

Granted, you are North Irish, and I am not so you probably know better, but the Nationalists aim is more along "we want a unified country without the British" and the Unionists of course are "We want union with Britain".

But, who do you listen to? Unionists? Nationalists?

What about the Republic of Ireland? Do their citizens get any say? It reminds me of the Puerto Rico Problem in America.

They don't want to be a state, but they don't want independence....okay, bad comparison.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Well, I think religion stopped being the problem a while ago.

Granted, you are North Irish, and I am not so you probably know better, but the Nationalists aim is more along "we want a unified country without the British" and the Unionists of course are "We want union with Britain".

But, who do you listen to? Unionists? Nationalists?

What about the Republic of Ireland? Do their citizens get any say? It reminds me of the Puerto Rico Problem in America.

They don't want to be a state, but they don't want independence....okay, bad comparison.

Why would the Republic of Ireland get a say about Northern Ireland? That would be like Mexico getting a say about whether Texas should be annexed by Mexico.

[Eranshahr]

haha I guess not. But I won't make fun of Americans and their ways of living, after all they are a young people. And this i always have wondered, and this is great with America. America has lived for about 200 years, they have from the start been a strong country and a superpower. Iran has atleast been there for 3000 years, still we have only had 3 years of Democracy ( also ruined by America and UK, but thats another issue) Still what I think is sad, as me and my friends discussed ( some Americans) is that their governments and mediaare somehow controlling their brains, making them intelligent, but not as much as they could be. Somewhat like modern day Iran.

[Nathanial]

Well, I think religion stopped being the problem a while ago.

Granted, you are North Irish, and I am not so you probably know better, but the Nationalists aim is more along "we want a unified country without the British" and the Unionists of course are "We want union with Britain".

But, who do you listen to? Unionists? Nationalists?

What about the Republic of Ireland? Do their citizens get any say? It reminds me of the Puerto Rico Problem in America.

They don't want to be a state, but they don't want independence....okay, bad comparison.

You are right about your descriptions of what unionists and nationalists want, but the line has become increasingly blurred espcially over the last decade. The leaders who once refused to sit in the same room together nevermind talk and work as a team are now realising that although they ain't gonna be best friends they are gonna do right by the majority of people here and cut out the **** and just get things done.

Republic of Ireland citizens do not get a say because Northern Ireland is its own country, although some hardcore bitter nationalists would disagree. We have our own education system, look after our own health service etc (although these are funded by Westminster and we abide by their general rules) we also have our own government held at Stormont. So I consider Northern Ireland a country just like Scotland England and Wales.

But important to mention that not all catholics are nationalist, just like not all protestants are unionist. I would say the majority of both religions are neither of the above, instead they have their own views just a lack of precise representation in government hence we have to vote for those nationalist and unionist parties, also they do have the best politicians the more neutral parties kinda suck.

as for me personally, I wana stay with UK cause the benefits of it are just so plain to see we get alot of things free and aided alot more whereas a United Ireland would create alot more payments. But that is based more on a common sense thing rather than a im protestant therefore I must believe in it.

Edit: sorry just had to add for the "religion stopped being a problem long ago" thing. This is true the majority of Northern Ireland citizens care little for it anymore, but those bitter hardcore types have used it as an excuse to carry on fighting.

This can be seen even through me, as I would consider myself all of the following:

British (part of UK)
Northern Irish (Citizen of that country)
Irish (I come from the Island of Ireland)

That last one, if said about 10 - 30 years ago would prob have caused some problems but now nothing, I think that alone shows how far the country has come in accepting everyone as a whole.

[Luftwaffels]

Why would the Republic of Ireland get a say about Northern Ireland? That would be like Mexico getting a say about whether Texas should be annexed by Mexico.

Why would the Welsh, English, and North Irish get a say about whether the Scottish leave the Union?

[removeduser_3482674582374]

The big problem in NI Iran etc. is that didn't get to have a saying in the situation but now with the stabilization lets hope this will end, and people will be free to decide and make their choice as long as it is guaranteed that noone will interfere with it...

With honor

Polemidas.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Why would the Welsh, English, and North Irish get a say about whether the Scottish leave the Union?

They don't.

Beyond freedom of speech of course. Were there to be a referendum obviously only Scots would be able to vote.

[Luftwaffels]

Fair enough.

[Eranshahr]

I must agree with Luftwaffles. If the Scottsh people wants to leave the UK and it is proven just like when Montenegro left Serbia then England adn the rest of UK should accept it. But also if let's say Hawaii wanted to leave the US.

[removeduser_487563287433]

I must agree with Luftwaffles. If the Scottsh people wants to leave the UK and it is proven just like when Montenegro left Serbia then England adn the rest of UK should accept it. But also if let's say Hawaii wanted to leave the US.

This is how things already are. People need to watch fewer Mel Gibson films, we really don't have the heart to oppress anything.

[Gary88]

Why would the Welsh, English, and North Irish get a say about whether the Scottish leave the Union?

because they are part of a united kingdom, actually part of the same country where as the ROI and NI are not

[Atterdag]

I must agree with Luftwaffles. If the Scottsh people wants to leave the UK and it is proven just like when Montenegro left Serbia then England adn the rest of UK should accept it. But also if let's say Hawaii wanted to leave the US.

Obviously only Scots would be able to vote on independence. The English have no say on that matter.
But that is a subject for another thread. Stay on topic please

[Nathanial]

because they are part of a united kingdom, actually part of the same country where as the ROI and NI are not

United Kingdom isnt really a country, it is a joining together of countries, yes Westminster rules as top dog, but as far as I know all the countries are free to leave and become fully independant if they wish, just most dont as they get some good benefits for staying with England. Scotland have decided this was no longer for them. Fair Enough and good luck to them.

[Gary88]

United Kingdom isnt really a country, it is a joining together of countries, yes Westminster rules as top dog, but as far as I know all the countries are free to leave and become fully independant if they wish, just most dont as they get some good benefits for staying with England. Scotland have decided this was no longer for them. Fair Enough and good luck to them.

true but it is actually a union, unlike in ireland

[Nathanial]

true but it is actually a union, unlike in ireland

Union is the word I meant, when I said "joining together of countries" it just didnt register to me.

Whereas in Ireland the two countries rarely have anything to actually do with each other. Apart from Rugby!

[removeduser_487563287433]

I would like to point out to the benefit of our American readers that this has actually already been put into practice thirty years ago when the people of Northern Ireland were given a referendum about joining the Republic of Ireland.

See? No heart to oppress anything. Sentana's type does that.

[Nathanial]

I would like to point out to the benefit of our American readers that this has actually already been put into practice thirty years ago when the people of Northern Ireland were given a referendum about joining the Republic of Ireland.

QFT

[VALIS]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6923342.stm

as of now (time of typing) the british army is ending its mission in northern ireland and security is now being handed over to the police making the security situation in NI the same (or atlest simular) to that of the rest of the uk. This along with the fact the IRA and other groups have given up their arms means the violent problems are now well into the pass.

why do i feel its a success?

northern ireland is still part of the uk and the violence has stopped the IRA has given up its armed.

lets hope it stays like this.

WAH!!!!!!
You mean Northern Ireland has remained part of Britain and everything the IRA has strived for in the last 35 years has miserably failed!


I bet Setanta and all those plastic Paddy terrorist supporters are crying into their cornflakes....