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This man has just been given responsibility for Northern Ireland

James Brokenshire is the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Theresa May becomes PM New Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire Andrew Matthews / PA Wire Andrew Matthews / PA Wire / PA Wire

WITH THE FILLING out of new PM Theresa May’s cabinet, Theresa Villiers is out and James Brokenshire has taken over the top Northern Ireland job.

A relatively unknown quantity to those in the North, 48-year-old Brokenshire has previously served in cabinet as minister of state for immigration and came out in favour of a Remain vote in last month’s referendum.

Tweeting earlier this evening, the MP said that he was “delighted and honoured” to have been asked to serve in the position of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Coming into the job, Brokenshire will have plenty on his plate. First up will be how to deal with the delicate issue of Northern Ireland’s relationship with the Republic in a post-Brexit world.

On the issue of the border Brokenshire has marked it as a concern, without saying anything definite.

“Another huge challenge is to ensure that we make a success of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union,” he said.

“It is vital that Northern Ireland’s interests are fully protected and advanced including in relation to the border.

I am looking forward to working closely over the coming weeks and months with the Executive, the Irish government and the whole community in Northern Ireland to build a brighter, more secure future for everyone.

Also on the agenda will be the implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements which are in place to help tackle paramilitarism.

Securing Stormont’s finances and the future of the Good Friday Agreement are also priorities for the new appointee.

Prior to getting into politics, Brokenshire practised law for 13 years.

Other cabinet positions held by Brokenshire included minister for crime prevention and security minister at the home office.

During his time in government he led the negotiations with the Jordanian government that led to the deportation of radical preacher Abu Qatada, and also oversaw security operations in advance of the London 2012 Olympics.

Read: Theresa Villiers resigns as Northern Ireland Secretary

Also: Here is a list of people, places and things Boris Johnson has insulted or knocked over

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84 Comments
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    Mute Eamonn Hughes
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:13 PM

    Brokenshire. Describes perfectly the north of Ireland.

    461
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    Mute andrew
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    Jul 15th 2016, 12:19 AM

    Its just dawned on me that his name is an anagram of James Brokenshire. The irony!

    6
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 15th 2016, 2:17 AM

    Stick to the music Alanis

    12
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    Mute Winston Smith
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:31 PM

    Pity really, I thought they’d appoint a ‘leave voter’. Once they realised that the British propping up this failed statelet is costing them as much as their EU contributions and giving no benefits such as access to large markets, they’d be pushing for a Ulsterexit sooner than a Brexit.

    162
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    Mute David Mac Shite
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:39 PM

    The Brits would hand The North back tomorrow if they tought they could get away with it and save face.
    We give lip service to a united Ireland but really dont want it back either.
    The North is the fat kid with two left feet that nobody wanted on their team in the school yard.

    343
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:00 PM

    “We” “don’t want it back”, who are “we”?

    98
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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Jul 15th 2016, 11:47 AM

    Obviously people who are devoid of a little bit of patriotism. A united Ireland is a United ireland no matter what the problems that it will incur. Do you think the people who fought for an independent Ireland worried about how much it would cost to become independent? That attitude would see us still have British passports but ironically a United Ireland.

    24
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 15th 2016, 1:24 PM

    Damn right Spoddgy

    6
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    Mute RM O'Hanrahan
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:13 PM

    He’ll never be Mo Mowlam, more’s the pity.

    134
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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:49 PM

    RM.. is this mo mowlam that trick the Nationalist population on the garvaghy road by forcing a Orange parade down road in mid 90s….

    33
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    Mute RM O'Hanrahan
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:17 PM

    The same woman who went to the maze, face to face with some of this islands most horrendous creatures, and pulled the wig off in exasperation at our political masters to get them to put their toys back in the pram. But you’re right, a long forgotten parade 25 years ago is what she should be remembered for.

    143
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    Mute Garry Clarke
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:28 PM

    22 billion budget. 8.5 billion direct subvention from the uk. Tantrum throwing politicians divorced from reality.good luck to him as he will be presiding over a post Brexit reining in of the basket case that is NI

    127
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    Mute Fred Johnson
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:49 PM

    It’s poetic justice that DUP voters will suffer after their cynical call for Brexit.

    97
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    Mute AN other
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    Jul 15th 2016, 9:46 AM

    To be clear Fred DUP politicians called for brexit but a majority of their own voters rejected the parties idea

    14
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    Mute Fred Johnson
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    Jul 15th 2016, 11:06 AM

    That’ not true. 44%+ of the Norths voters went for Brexit, the only main party calling for Brexit was the DUP.

    What community and what party do you think those 44% come from?

    15
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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:20 PM

    Give the bloke a chance please!

    111
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    Mute The spokesman
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:20 PM

    Can’t be any worse than Villiers. Yad be better if at the bottom of the lake then trying to deal with her.

    98
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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:26 PM

    Correct ,Villiers was like a nodding dog to Foster and Robinson.

    157
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    Mute The spokesman
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:30 PM

    Better off

    32
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:32 PM

    Only time will tell, I hope you’re right anyway

    16
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    Mute Arthur Renfrew
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:27 PM

    A Brokenshire for a broken shire.

    53
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    Mute Ryan O' Boyle
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:40 PM

    Eamon are you kidding the 26 countries are never out of the north! Brokenshire is very funny for an Irish economy that was bust in 2008 and went cap in hand to Europe and the “north/UK” for a loan to keep your wreckless spending a float! Disappointed at your very very short term memory. The south are in no postion to judge!

    51
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    Mute David Mac Shite
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:56 PM

    The North has never stood on its own feet financially for a moment.
    It is a failed state on constant life support from Britain both economically and culturally.
    Its greatest export is outrage.

    149
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    Mute Irish Cottage Rental
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:41 PM

    To protect bad UK bank loans !

    28
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    Mute Fred Johnson
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:46 PM

    The North requires a bailout from London every single year to the tune of £10 billion. At least we paid back our loan, which was really about saving British banks with operations in Ireland.

    59
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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:50 PM

    Jesus! Talk about dillusion! You’re crazier than crazy

    6
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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:51 PM

    Fred! Please tell me what drink or drug you’re on! It’s surely amazing stuff.

    9
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:01 PM

    Fred can you give us the figure for the revenue raised in the north there too please? No, I didn’t think so.

    10
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    Mute Fred Johnson
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:11 PM

    The £10 billion is a net figure Brendan, the difference between taxes raised there and government spending there. That’s ok, i seek to educate.

    32
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:19 PM

    Educate us a bit more there Fred and show us the gross figures.

    8
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:45 PM

    Thankful enough task all the same. Do something in favour of one side, get slated by the other side.

    48
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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:06 PM

    Jamie

    Do you mean thankless rather than thankful

    43
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:59 PM

    haha yes.

    23
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    Mute Donal O'Leary
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:48 PM

    Ballymurphy enquiry now!

    44
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:06 PM

    Not a hope Donal. Too many reputations at risk.

    23
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    Mute James Kelly
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:45 PM

    It’s non post a bit like Secretary of State for scotland which is inhabited by a Hobbit called Mundell (Mundane) the only Tory MP in Scotland !
    The Minister is a “fire in” and has nothing much to do as long as he lets the natives get on wth it and doesn’t get too exercised as its all been done before. Nothing new to see there. I’d go as far to say it was a sinecure. I notice there’s no loud noises about NI going it alone following the majority vote in favour of Remain (unlike the SNP)
    Strange that but there again there is a genuine dependency culture st play here with “the mainland” whereas Scotland could genuinely stand alone if only they had the balls !

    30
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:27 PM

    Scotland, I hope, will one day stand alone, proud and free. The Six Counties and its people will never be alone, they will always be part of the Irish nation. The ones who “settled” 400 years ago and consider themselves British will always have the freedom to express their identity in Ireland, preferably with a modicum of respect involved. I honestly believe bigotry and blind hatred will be overcome eventually. Its a matter of being patient.

    86
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:31 PM

    I couldn’t agree more Jamie.

    27
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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:35 PM

    Seems reasonable to me Jamie.

    22
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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:51 PM

    Scotland will go it alone if and when it suits them! What Irish people don’t seem to realise is Scotland is part of the Union by choice. In fairness though, they do look at what an awful corrupt kip Ireland has become, and are as scared as hell!! Who’d blame them?

    21
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    Mute Shane Molloy
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    Jul 15th 2016, 12:27 AM

    It’s a marathon not a sprint. Reunification will happen

    32
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 15th 2016, 2:31 AM

    Stepping stones.

    12
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    Mute Norma's Stits
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:53 PM

    i hope he gives it 110%

    26
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    Mute Andrew Corcoran
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:43 PM

    Loyalists will demand no less than 1690%.

    103
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    Mute Joe Doyle
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:27 PM

    Alas the reunification of Ireland is now unattainable given the 23rd June vote A view across the border is now a view into alien non -eu territory Game over people get used to it.

    16
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    Mute Andrew Corcoran
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:44 PM

    Lol. Looking over the invisible line, I still see Ireland. No change there Joe ☺

    38
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    Mute Fred Johnson
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:44 PM

    And that’s exactly why the DUP wanted Brexit.

    24
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    Mute David Mac Shite
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:57 PM

    Your kidding Joe.
    The North would sink us for good.
    Look at the red and green thumb reaction to the posts here and there’s your vote.
    Nobody wants it.
    Its like trying to flog a 1983 Lada.

    23
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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:59 PM

    Joe.. 2015 … 6 county state catholic school population 51%….protestant school population 42%….. mix and others.. 9%…..the days of 70% prostestant population are long gone….!!

    38
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:07 PM

    According to a study done by Kurt Hübner, director of the Institute for European Studies at the University of British Columbia in Canada (who has good form regarding his study on German reunification), after 8 years reunification the whole island of Ireland would be €35 billion better off than keeping things as they are.

    41
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:09 PM
    14
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:24 PM
    14
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    Mute alphanautica
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:25 PM

    The Spanish should take back Portugal. It is geographically as valid an argument as a a United Ireland has.

    Ireland was never united, ever in all of history, except when it was ruled from London.

    I wonder what imaginary island the dreamers are harking back to. The time of the dinosaurs perhaps? But then we were landlocked with mainland Europe.

    15
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:26 PM
    16
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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:44 PM

    Alphanautica…..tick tock..

    19
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    Mute Shane Molloy
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    Jul 15th 2016, 12:24 AM

    Geographically the 6 counties is Ireland you fool

    24
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 15th 2016, 1:25 AM

    Alphanautica, Did the Spain use plantataion there as well to make up half the population?

    19
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 15th 2016, 2:42 AM

    alphanautica, that’s a poor, poor argument.

    16
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    Mute Craba
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    Jul 15th 2016, 8:14 AM

    Shane
    Nobody’s talking geography you idiot.

    5
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    Mute Larry Doherty
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    Jul 15th 2016, 12:00 PM

    Joe, that’s what they said in 1922. You might need to get used to it,

    4
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    Mute George Mills
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    Jul 15th 2016, 2:30 PM

    Try living in Donegal Andrew when in two years time all your oil,coal,gas, timber , fertilizer, cattle feed and much more must be transported from a non-EU port Derry or Belfast, and the nearest EU port without transiting non- EU country is Foynes 300 kms away..chaos ahead !!

    4
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    Mute Brian Reddy
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:16 PM

    Why exactly should we care?

    14
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:17 PM

    Because this man now has an amount of responsibility for what many of us consider part of our country.

    34
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    Mute Brian Reddy
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:57 PM

    Ffs. The 6 counties have never been part of this country and never will.

    23
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    Mute M Bowe
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    Jul 15th 2016, 12:27 AM

    Brian. Buy a few books. Some are sure to come in large print without big words.

    37
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 15th 2016, 1:21 AM

    They were Brian right up to Independance…

    10
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 15th 2016, 1:23 AM
    9
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 15th 2016, 2:40 AM

    Ah now they have Brian, and are and always will be.

    19
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    Mute Kane Abel
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    Jul 14th 2016, 11:00 PM

    I see Joe Duffy finally found a decent plastic surgeon, took years of him in fairness…..

    13
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    Mute Larry Doherty
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    Jul 15th 2016, 11:58 AM

    One look at this guy’s CV will tell you why he was selected for this post. His skills are all security based – MI5, MI6, Home Office security, etc.

    Just when the pressure is building on the spooks through numerous court cases, inquests, ombudsman reports and other enquiries, the British government need someone with a steady hand who will resist all attempts to expose their murder gangs and, more importantly, who controlled them at senior levels in the British government.

    11
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 15th 2016, 1:20 AM

    Has he any clue about Irish history?

    9
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    Mute Gooner Sean
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    Jul 15th 2016, 4:42 AM

    Another foreign clown with disdain for Ireland.

    7
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    Mute Danny McLaughlin
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    Jul 15th 2016, 7:04 AM

    I know nothing about him or his views on Ireland.

    Would you like to enlighten us?
    Links to articles where he has expressed views on Ireland?

    12
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    Mute lunatictravel.com
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    Jul 15th 2016, 12:20 AM

    The best solution to the potential EU border in Ireland, The Irish Republic leaves the EU the border then is the same no problem 1922 agreement still the same as for a united Ireland thats for the people of the Emerald Isle to decide and then whichever way that goes create the North Atlantic Alliance as detailed below Perfect solution to the EU crisis scrap the EU start the North Atlantic alliance every country with a beach on the geographical North Atlantic Ocean would be entiled to Join Ireland UK Portugal Barbados USA Canada Iceland Greenland I Moroco I could go on all helping one another Trade Defence etc but all truly independent now that would be one of the greatest alliances on Earth particularly if also aligned to NATO then our continental freinds with no Atlantic beach can decide if they want us as mates or not

    5
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    Mute Gerry Fallon
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:39 PM

    He’s the image of joe duffy!

    5
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    Mute David Mac Shite
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:52 PM

    Joe Duffy when he was 15.
    Im afraid Joe walks away from bigger shites than that now.

    15
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    Mute Pauric Tighe
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    Jul 14th 2016, 9:43 PM

    As a proud Ulster Johnny come lately nobody non SF voter ….. Kills me to see this conservative MP promoted to “Northern Ireland Secretary”

    5
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 15th 2016, 1:27 AM

    A 6 COUNTY ONE OR THE FULL 9 COUNTY OF ULSTER ONE?

    11
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    Mute TellingItAsItIs
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    Jul 15th 2016, 9:28 AM

    Does he does the language?

    3
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    Mute Chris Clancy Wilson
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:55 PM

    He looks like the bloke from Emmerdale

    1
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 15th 2016, 1:26 AM

    Seth?

    1
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    Mute Ken O'Sullivan
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    Jul 15th 2016, 4:22 PM

    I wonder will he attend the GAA Ulster Football Final……..you never know

    1
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    Mute Frank
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    Jul 14th 2016, 10:08 PM

    What is wrong with him? Nobody wants NI. It shows what power junkies are prepared to do to get a fix. Take a job in the north.

    1
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