Introduction With negotiations entering the final phase for the withdrawal agreement, there is immense speculation. The actual negotiations are being held in a “tunnel” and seem have been going on forever. I am reminded of a scene from an Ian Banks novel where the players have to play a valid game of Bridge, but are… Read more
Category:
Ireland
Covering Ireland both North and South
Crunch time for Brexit Negotiations
Introduction I am against Brexit for many reasons, but my primary focus has, and always has been, the effect on Northern Ireland and the destabilising effect it will have on the island of Ireland, in terms of the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process. I still very much hope Brexit does not happen and… Read more
Crash out and it will be visas for France
Although The Prime Minister urges our European colleagues to show “courage, trust and leadership“, it appears irony is beyond her. The French are not known for irony either and, whilst it seems to have been given little publicity, they have now outlined their plans for Brexit in the absence of any negotiated deal. It is… Read more
The DUP Tail Wagging the European Dog
Introduction For those of us who grew up on the island of Ireland the DUP and their political antecedents are a known, if unloved, quantity. I met the founding father of the DUP, Dr Ian Paisley, at Stormont in 1968 on a schoolboy civics trip from St Paul’s College Raheny Dublin. He was quite charming… Read more
Why is the UK rejecting the NI Backstop?
I seem to be obsessed with the border recently. I would love to get back to looking at new economics, Modern Monetary Theory, tax, the optimal balance between the public and private sector spending and the myriad other difficulties afflicting modern Britain. We are also way behind on Book of the Month so suggestions please!… Read more
Northern Ireland and the Humpty Dumpty World of Schrödinger’s Cats
Note: this article is a co-publication with the award winning Slugger O’Toole portal as the first in the Future Ireland series. ____________ Apparently you follow the rabbit down a hole and you emerge in a wonderland …. Ken Clarke – House of Commons “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful… Read more
Northern Irish Futures pt 2 (possible futures)
Introduction Northern Ireland seems to be in a poor state as discussed in part I. In addition to the Economic and infrastructure problems, of course the legacy of the troubles is still raw. NI is one of the most traumatised societies in the West, with extremely high prevalence of mental illness including the world’s highest… Read more
Northern Irish Futures pt 1 (The Current State)
Introduction As of a few days ago (28/08/18) Northern Ireland surpassed Belgium as the country/region which has been without a functioning government for the longest period of time. How well is Northern Ireland doing? Is this a major worry? The present deadlock seems unbreakable. There was a deal in February generally considered a 5:1 win… Read more
Further Analysis of the Our Future Our Choice NI Poll
The Recent Our Future Our Choice (OFOC) poll in Northern Ireland has generated a lot of interest especially given the result of voting intentions regarding a United Ireland if Brexit goes ahead. This has shown a lead of 13-16% for a United Ireland. Should the UK remain in the EU there is an even greater… Read more
How to Run Referendums – Lessons from Ireland
Introduction Ireland has a written constitution which can only be amended via a referendum. Referendums are common, with each EU treaty change for example requiring a referendum (sometimes two which will be discussed in detail later). There are frequently more than one referendum per year and there have been 11 on the EU. This year… Read more