Irish Unity by Ben Collins sampler

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irish unity Unity within the EU will protect the entire island from these negative repercussions being forced onto Ireland by the actions of a third country, ie the British government. Northern Ireland, as part of the UK, would have to spend the next several decades adjusting to existence outside the EU, or arguing about whether to seek to re- join it. It makes far more sense to, instead, spend the next decades reuniting with the rest of Ireland as part of the EU. Prosperity for all of Ireland lies within the EU. This can be seen clearly if we compare economic statistics between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, in terms of overall growth and per capita. National leaders across Europe – such as Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar – have come to the same conclusion, that their country’s national interests are best served by playing a full part in the EU. William Hague, the former UK foreign secretary, said that the UK’s membership in the EU helped to amplify its voice on international matters. We have already seen how the UK’s status has shrunk on the world stage, such as its recent failure to have a judge on the International Court of Justice for the first time since its foundation in 1945. By comparison, Ireland successfully campaigned for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council for 2021– 22. In a world that is ever more uncertain, these things matter. Brexit and its potentially calamitous impact on Northern Ireland – indeed, Ireland as a whole – have necessitated that we speed up the process of self- determination. There has been increased discussion of Irish unity following the UK’s 2016 vote to leave the EU, with increasing support being shown in a variety of opinion polls. Northern Ireland was pulled out of the European Union even though a majority of people in the region voted to remain part of the EU and the effects of being taken out are potentially catastrophic. Therefore, we should aim for NIREXIT from BREXIT – that is, a Northern Ireland exit from Brexit. Politicians will follow the people The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, in August 2020, that Britain may get tired of Northern Ireland and that is why the Shared Island Unit, which he set up after forming a new government, is so important. 10 However, he said a border poll at this time would be 36
introduction too divisive. Disappointing, yes, but we need to use this time to prepare and set out a detailed plan for how unity will be successfully delivered. Once politicians from across Ireland realise there is an appetite for unity, they will surely get on board to help build the campaign – we have seen this through the welcome proposals on Irish unity, recently launched by Jim O’Callaghan TD of Fianna Fáil and Neale Richmond TD of Fine Gael. One result of the peace process, from a Unionist perspective, was that it froze the discussion and agitation for Irish unity by Nationalist politicians across Ireland and in Irish America. The new circumstances caused by Brexit mean that these politicians are now beginning to engage, so now is the time to actively campaign for unity. The post- Brexit era presents many challenges for the people of Ireland, as well as a once- in- a- generation opportunity. Many people across Ireland – from all political perspectives – have worked hard to make the peace process a success and secure the gains of the Good Friday Agreement. All of this is under threat due to the voters of England and Wales – people who have voted against their interests, for a variety of reasons, including concerns about immigration and an outdated sense of sovereignty. Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic have been able to build a mutual understanding toward a growing all- Ireland economy over the last twenty years. Do we allow the vote of others to put this hardwon progress at risk and accept that Northern Ireland will not have the same benefits of EU membership as the rest of Ireland? Or do we commit to securing our future by planning and voting for Irish unity, to safeguard our European destiny? Brexit is the death rattle of the British Empire The vote for Brexit can be defined in psychology as an example of the Dunning- Kruger effect, where people of low ability (in this case the UK government) have illusions about their superiority over others and believe that their brainpower is greater than others. This is a result of the inability of such people to recognise their shortcomings. The theory is that as they lack self- awareness, they cannot objectively evaluate their actual level of competence or incompetence. The UK has decided to stop immigration and aim for a smaller economy, less influence on the world stage and increasing isolation. 37
Page 3 and 4: BEN COLLINS grew up in a strongly p
Page 5 and 6: Irish Unity: Time to Prepare BEN CO
Page 7: For Dylan Ní neart go cur le chéi
Page 11 and 12: Acknowledgements I would particular
Page 13 and 14: Foreword Ben Collins has written a
Page 15 and 16: Glossary of Terms Alliance: Liberal
Page 17 and 18: Timeline of Key Events Outlined bel
Page 19 and 20: timeline of key events 24 March 197
Page 21 and 22: timeline of key events 26 June 2000
Page 23 and 24: timeline of key events 16 Jan 2017:
Page 25 and 26: Preface I should confess right from
Page 27 and 28: preface Back in Northern Ireland, I
Page 29 and 30: preface of my unionist background -
Page 31 and 32: Introduction To say that we are liv
Page 33 and 34: introduction EU- UK trade deal. The
Page 35 and 36: introduction These examples of peac
Page 37: introduction adopted, at times, con
Page 41: introduction Part of the reason tha

Irish Unity by Ben Collins sampler

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