This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/18/ireland-post-brexit-options-and-ties-to-uk
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ireland’s post-Brexit options and ties to UK Ireland’s post-Brexit options and ties to UK | |
| (2 months later) | |
| Living in the UK a few miles from the Irish border, I am very relaxed about Brexit. I note the concerns in your report (Irish leaders fear Brexit will bring disaster, 17 October) by nationalists such as John Bruton and Charlie Flanagan in Dublin and Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin – they all want a united Ireland – but there was no comment from anyone representing the unionist majority in Northern Ireland. | Living in the UK a few miles from the Irish border, I am very relaxed about Brexit. I note the concerns in your report (Irish leaders fear Brexit will bring disaster, 17 October) by nationalists such as John Bruton and Charlie Flanagan in Dublin and Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin – they all want a united Ireland – but there was no comment from anyone representing the unionist majority in Northern Ireland. |
| In fact, so far the EU referendum has been good news for Northern Ireland. The depreciation of sterling has meant a substantial increase in CAP payments to the large agriculture industry and each day thousands of southern Irish are queueing to enter Northern Ireland to shop. Northern Irish border towns are booming – not with IRA bombs – but with euros from southern shoppers. It is the Republic that is suffering from Brexit and I foresee this problem remaining for the next three years until the UK finally exits the EU. Irish exports of beef, mushrooms etc to the UK are collapsing; hundreds have already become redundant; and tourism from the UK will be in decline due to the sterling depreciation. | In fact, so far the EU referendum has been good news for Northern Ireland. The depreciation of sterling has meant a substantial increase in CAP payments to the large agriculture industry and each day thousands of southern Irish are queueing to enter Northern Ireland to shop. Northern Irish border towns are booming – not with IRA bombs – but with euros from southern shoppers. It is the Republic that is suffering from Brexit and I foresee this problem remaining for the next three years until the UK finally exits the EU. Irish exports of beef, mushrooms etc to the UK are collapsing; hundreds have already become redundant; and tourism from the UK will be in decline due to the sterling depreciation. |
| There are two possible solutions for the Republic: (1) rejoin sterling, but it cannot as it is no longer a sovereign independent country in this respect, or (2) exit the EU. After all, Ireland joined the EEC on the same day as the UK and it would be logical for it to exit the same day.John TaylorHouse of Lords; MEP for Northern Ireland, 1979-89; MP for Strangford, 1983-2001 | There are two possible solutions for the Republic: (1) rejoin sterling, but it cannot as it is no longer a sovereign independent country in this respect, or (2) exit the EU. After all, Ireland joined the EEC on the same day as the UK and it would be logical for it to exit the same day.John TaylorHouse of Lords; MEP for Northern Ireland, 1979-89; MP for Strangford, 1983-2001 |
| • Irish foreign minister Charlie Flanagan’s claim that “One in four people in Britain can claim Irish heritage” (Britain outside the EU can still be a friend to Ireland, 17 October) is based on a 2001 survey sponsored by Guinness for St Patrick’s Day. | • Irish foreign minister Charlie Flanagan’s claim that “One in four people in Britain can claim Irish heritage” (Britain outside the EU can still be a friend to Ireland, 17 October) is based on a 2001 survey sponsored by Guinness for St Patrick’s Day. |
| The survey reported that 77% of Londoners and 42% in the 18-34 age group claimed Irish roots. The authors of the report concluded that most respondents were probably exaggerating or lying. | The survey reported that 77% of Londoners and 42% in the 18-34 age group claimed Irish roots. The authors of the report concluded that most respondents were probably exaggerating or lying. |
| In the 2011 census only about one person in 100 in England, Wales and Scotland ticked the “White Irish” box in choosing their ethnicity. | In the 2011 census only about one person in 100 in England, Wales and Scotland ticked the “White Irish” box in choosing their ethnicity. |
| There are about 6.7 million people in the UK who don’t already have an Irish passport who could be entitled to one through a parent or grandparent. That’s only 10% of the population, but it’s a lot more than the current population of the Republic of Ireland, which is 4.8 million.Dr John DohertyGaoth Dobhair, Co Dhún na nGall (Donegal), Ireland | There are about 6.7 million people in the UK who don’t already have an Irish passport who could be entitled to one through a parent or grandparent. That’s only 10% of the population, but it’s a lot more than the current population of the Republic of Ireland, which is 4.8 million.Dr John DohertyGaoth Dobhair, Co Dhún na nGall (Donegal), Ireland |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |