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SINCE THE 2016 Brexit vote, talks of Irish reunification among the people and pundits are being discussed more than ever.
However, a united Ireland isn’t necessarily the gold standard in good north-south relations as Brexit seems to have already strengthened the relationship between businesses north and south. In the year to September, the value of imports to the Republic from the North grew by 60% to almost €2.6 billion while the value of goods going the opposite direction rose by almost 50% to €2.8 billion.
Complexities and the additional red tape since 1 January mean businesses in the north and south have struggled with supply lines from Britain, so this boom also has to be credited with necessity rather than politics. New Brexit rules in Northern Ireland have also driven a wedge between north and south – as professional qualifications in the north aren’t automatically recognised in the south anymore.
Omnipresent is the Northern Ireland Protocol which the EU and UK both agree there are issues with, changes to which could fracture the currently booming all-island economy.
So today we’re asking: Do you think Brexit will bring Northern Ireland and the Republic closer together or further apart?
This work is co-funded by Journal Media and a grant programme from the European Parliament. Any opinions or conclusions expressed in this work is the author’s own. The European Parliament has no involvement in nor responsibility for the editorial content published by the project. For more information, see here.
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I was listening to the exchange in the Dail, it was a disgrace.
Basically, kenny claims it’s unconstitutional, but won’t let the ultimate deciders of such matter, the supreme court, decide. He also won’t allow the people to have their say by way of referendum so that any constitutional issues can be removed.
He’s hiding behind the catch 22, where he questions its constitutionality, then claims the people decide the constitution, not him, while being the only person who can call a referendum so the people can decide, but refuses to do so.
Daly called him a hypocrite. She was being polite.
His government (well, him really) appoints the AG who then tells him what he and his government can do as legislators.
I get it now…
You pick your arse up yet ‘were jamming’? Fiona beat you up pretty badly last week in this issue. Good to see you’re not in hiding…
Says a lot about the immaturity of the average YFG troll that they have to interrupt the grown ups when discussing such a serious matter.
I know that won’t mean a lot to you at your tender age, but there are people reading this thread who have had to deal with the tragedy of FFA. Please show some respect.
Were hiding is what YFG activists do with their fake accounts…did u not know its there first lesson on joining in their user manual ” how to be a good liyyle blueshirt “
Kenny and Burton locking the door closed. Another one they can’t re-enter, there nearing the scrunching ground, no one or anything is safe while there in a corner, they know the result a referendum will throw at them , they’ll not risk any public backlash before the election. Sick politics !
Jammin, she refers to Goverment TDs as “donkeys”. A lot better than the asses who vote for a clearly unconstitutional Bill.
Who’s Daly? The far left wing friend off the capitalist tax dodger Wallace ! Any change in Abortion laws must be what the majority of the taxpayers want – irrespective of what any party or any one individual wants
@ ‘rory’: You are not qualified to rule on its constitutionality. The people who are will not be let do so.
@ Protect Democracy: Then decide by constitution. Thats not being allowed either.
Good lad Democracy. You reckon only taxpayers may be afforded a vote in a referendum ? Check out the Journals pole today, may give your narrow mind an insight.
I am so disappointed, angry and let down with Sinn Fein’s cowardly and directionless position on this matter…Who were they afraid to upset? Well I want to upset people who would disagree with this bill. I am a paid up member of Sinn Fein and I do not want to be involved with a political party who are afraid to upset these backward minded people, I don’t want them in our party. This had nothing to do with abortion and had all to do with compassion. After all it just allows people in this tragic situation to have a choice, no ones arm is being twisted. There is no excuse such as waiting for the Derry Ard Fheis, we need direction and people with moral principles and standing and this was lacking and only extends the suffering of those who are faced with this horrendous tragedy. Shame on those who abstained
I would think he probably would only allow Taxpayers on the higher rate a vote
PS I have a law degree and nearly finished an honours law degree and I am very aware of constitutional law and there is no hiding behind Whelan’s opinion that it is unconstitutional…Let it go before before the Supreme Court (that is their job) and let some pro lifer’s dispute the matter if they choose to do so and we will take it from there, because this has nothing to do with the Article in the Constitution as the constitution is harmonious and changes with the times and it is up the the Supreme Court to decide the matter and not some ignorant politicians taking advice from their appointed stooge.
That’s a bit rich coming from you when SF abstained – yes I know the reason, but how come that’s an excuse you accept and yet you disregard the legal advice taken from the AG that it’s unconstitutional?
Hypocrisy much?
@were jammin
Shame on every no vote, shame on every abstention. Cowardice abounds. Disgusted at the lot of them but not surprised on the least.
Jammin where will SF be on this one? Abstain ? Even more cowardly?
So Caimph what will SF do? Hide also?
Daly and Wallace are the bane of FG and their police and business buddies.Whats the difference between Mick Wallace and FG buddy Denis O Brien at least Wallace is paying back what he owes unlike O Brien who pays fk all tax here yet gets IW meter contract and will be handed IW on a plate by his FG pals
I agree entirely Paul, I’m very disappointed in there capacity to show leadership, has me thinking bout my vote at the min.
PD you are a laugh a minute…..i see your accumulating lots of red thumbs you are always mumbling about there a chara…..
As much as I don’t like Daly and her politics, I do believe in this proposal she has brought forward any sane person would have no disagreement to it. Enda and Co. will see this fail. The argument of no mandate is BS. We elect these people to make laws and do the will of the people that’s their mandate.
Well the Attorney General has a problem with it, and I’d imagine she has far more legal expertise than you, me or most other people in the country.
The government had a chance today to deal with some parts of the abortion issue and the have shown themselves up for what the are, an inept bunch of morons! Their ineptitude is holding back a prosperous progressive nation!
I wonder does the AG have more legal expertise than the 43 legal experts that were consulted about this bill?
Anyway, if this was unconstitutional, then our president can refer it to the Supreme Court to interpret.
It’s cowardly to use it as an excuse to vote against it.
The thing is Michael if it’s unconstitutional, it’s unconstitutional….I think most people would be in agreement with an amendment it unfortunately there has to be a process…throwing her toys out of the pram and name calling is typical behaviour of the dour Ms Daly….
from Independent.ie, circa 2011….’(Attorney General) Maire Whelan is renowned for her political nous as the Labour Party’s former finance secretary’
kinda says all i need to know really.
enda kenny and fine gael we knew were spineless the labour sheep I expected more from all jelly fish no spine
Michael they have no mandate to appeal the 8th because they want to save that for next years election campaign!
I suspect you have hit the nail directly on the head, Timber
Fair play to Daly, the focus of the Bill is in direct contrast to the stipulations of the Constitution. And as we rely more on jurisprudence these days in translation in any-case, then such actions by the TD’s in not voting in favour, simply shows the truly inept qualities of our crop of politicians. I think this is the usual smoke and mirrors tactics these cowboys in power operate by, and given the subject matter, an utter disgrace that they choose instead to posture and pontificate.
Daly is very much in favour of abortion on demand. The fact that she is the one proposing this is cause to worry.
What about the “legal expertise” or lack of it, displayed by our shamed and embarrassed Establishment Judiciary , in the Louise O’Keeffe case? Attorneys General exist to cover Government ass!
The same AG who has history of getting it wrong before? She can only give her opinion. 40 other legal experts had a different opinion.
Anyway, Enda Kenny basically admitted this afternoon, he wants nothing to do with this issue because of the political implications.
If it is unconstitutional then fine let it go to the president who will then refer it for review. Not every law in this country is fair and just. We need to challenge these laws to better reflect modern society.
For example the current blasphemy law is wrong and needs to be removed. Let the government put it to the people for a vote so. Given us the option to decide. In Switzerland people vote on multiple items a year but our system is so slow to put votes to its people. We elect these TDs based on their election promises but that is a failure. Bring the power back to the people and let us decide.
A prof. of the constitution from ucg was just talking on newstalk and says its not necessarily unconstitutional. Interesting talk.
@Cuppanta …. If it’s unconstitutional Then change the constitution. ! Various governments have changed the constitution before by adding amendments to it. This government has no objection to abortions as long as it’s not done on Irish soil. But they ignore the plight of thousands of women every year who travel to Britain to have abortions. They are a disgrace. Roll on the elections …….
@ the Doctor, kenny is a weasel sits on the fence all the time in front of the cameras, i was looking at the House if Oireachtas and he is so shifty you would know every word out of his mouth is a lie. Roll on the GE
I can only give you a green thumb Doctor the Journal are still submitting my comment, and i might add i’ve see worse on this siteu
This is nothing more than opposition for opposition’s sake. Pass the bill and let it be tested in the courts.
Utterly ashamed that I trusted Labour and FG with my preferences at the last election. A mistake I won’t repeat if this bill is voted down.
This is about basic humanity. Allowing a couple the choice. Some may wish to continue with a pregnancy in the event of FFA, but some won’t. Don’t make this incredibly difficult time worse.
Please note the politicians who vote against/ abstain/ absent themselves.
You don’t own the constitution Deputy Daly, nor do I! You can’t change the constitution, nor can I!
Well, if only Enda Kenny realised that he is the only one of the two that can put it to the people to change the constitution! What a ridiculous statement!
I am against abortion that exists in countries like Canada where a women can have a termination very late on in the term because in this case it is more or less a baby not a foetus (if my facts are correct). However something has to be done to ensure women that are raped or carrying in essence a dead baby get the services they feel they need. It’s just not right, just or ethical that women are being put through the mental and physical strain tbh.
Spider-Man , the answer lies in the Constitution. The Bill offends the Constitution.
Don’t know how TD’s can vote against this, it is very clear that Enda and FG don’t want to tackle the issue of abortion before an imminent GE. Meanwhile, Irish families are still unable to decide about their own particular situations when it comes down to abortion. As someone who has lived in England for years, it also sickens me that an Irish woman like myself would have to access the service in a different country. This is a national disgrace in my opinion.
Unfortunately she’s right nodding lapdogs.
FG/LAB profit before people party the government that just can’t stop caring.
How true she is nodding donkey’s is right.
She’s acting quite childish now just because she isn’t getting her way. I’m all for the proposal, but if the Att. General says it’s unconstitutional, then the Govt. would be ridiculous to ignore her advice.
Because the AG knows all!
“the Govt. would be ridiculous to ignore her advice”
Why.. what harm would testing its constitutionality do?
…other than cause an internal divide within FG?, which is a terrible reason to vote down such an important proposal.
Well if the Att. General says it’s unconstitutional, it’s highly likely that the SC would strike it down. If Daly is set on making this law, then she should try to make it included in the upcoming referendum.
Where is the AGs advice?
Or is she typing it up now?
Paul,
“Daly called on Enda Kenny to publish the advice given to him by the Attorney General Máire Whelan, in which she describes the Bill as unconstitutional.
Kenny said the AG’s advice is never published, and he would not be making an exception in this case.”
No exceptions, unfortunately, so FG/Lab can hide behind this line indefinitely.
Derek, the AG got it wrong during the childrens referendum, do you not think given the seriousness of this issue, that the government should accept that she is not bloody infallible?
“Kenny said the AG’s advice is never published”
That’s a lie.
And it shouldn’t be published. If it was, then the Attorney General would be politically scrutinised which is something that shouldn’t happen at all.
Yes derek, because NOT scrutinising people in positions of power has worked out so well for us in the past, hasn’t it?
You are right Derek, how dare people ask questions about decisions that will affect them?
The cheek. We should all be like you and tow the line, live a life of obedience and ask ‘how high’ every time anybody in power says jump.
The most important thing here is to make sure that FG doesn’t implode from an incredibly minor change to legislation that will provide some dignity and relief for people in an impossible situation, for practically no cost.
It’s actually disgraceful.
Daly is an embarrassment to Ireland.
The electorate who voted for her need to reconsider voting for her at the next election.
Wallace and herself should not be in Dáil Éireann.
WALLACE DEFRAUDED THE REVENUE AND HENCE THE IRISH PEOPLE,
lol,
What’s that Dermot, an attack on democracy?
So, dermot, daly shouldn’t be re-elected because wallace defrauded revenue?
Please put the bible down and think before you type.
If thinking before you type was a prerequisite the journal would be a very quiet place.
So very sad Clare. You are a trooper and thank you so much for all your hard work on this subject. There’s only so much one can do when confronted with a bunch of ret@rded dinosaurs.
Its a no for Claires Fatal Foetal Abnormalities all the men have f…ed off out of the House. Enda is gone out skipping, i’m sure all the parents who have or will that horriblr thing happen in the future will be devastated.
I love reading all the comments especially the ones that say I’ll never vote F.G. or labor again and bring on the election next year. I just want to say why have we got too wait till next year so we can get rid of this government.We all know they couldn’t run a BATH . We as the people of this country who pay there big fat pay checks and everything else they get for nothing must make a stand and get them out sooner than later. My blood is boiling over the vote today how dear they do this do they not understand what all those families are going through.What Clair Daly called Enda Kenny today is nothing too what I’m calling him here at home. So let’s all get together and get them out .
So Kenny and burton have the start of another 5 point plan of lies to promise the people.A referendum on the 8th amendment.Why dont they just cancel the referendum on lowering the age a person can be to be president and replace it with a referendum on the 8th amendment.As nobody gives a fk about what age you have to be to be considered for election as president as political parties have that job sewed up.Now the 8th amendment that is what the citizens want…And we all know what we want counts for nothing as there is no money in it for the politicians
I think the following statement clears up the whole matter of abortion legislation “… as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones” – now that clears it all up.
and that’s all i have to say about that.
Better watch out for the unknown unknown unknowns so! Or maybe the known unknown unknown unknowns!!!!!
Gabbi Donald rumsfeld came up with that saying.and its not fit for the comments on this matter.women need to have a choice on this and if fg labour can’t see that they truly are out of touch…
Shambles of a decision making, shambles of a government.
if the baby is going to die as soon as its born then surely the government can’t use the”babies right to life”reason to oppose its abortion.
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