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AT LAST NIGHT’S debate on Today FM, presidential candidate Gay Mitchell said he would be prepared to consider joining the Commonwealth in exchange for a united Ireland.
Mitchell believed that the Commonwealth of Nations had “evolved significantly” since Ireland left it in 1949. But the idea was rejected by his fellow presidential candidate Martin McGuinness who said the the notion of a quid pro quo was “wrong”.
The idea has previously been floated by another presidential candidate, David Norris. The Belfast Telegraph reported last year that Norris said that such a decision to re-enter the Commonwealth would have enormous benefits for the country.
The only precedent for a country leaving and then rejoining the Commonwealth is South Africa, which was prevented from continuing as a member when it became a republic in 1961 and institutionalised apartheid. It later rejoined in 1994 after apartheid was abolished.
So today we’re asking: would you like to see the Republic of Ireland join the C0mmonwealth in exchange for a united Ireland?
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No.
Would you cut off an arm so that you can get back a missing leg?
Its stupidity suggested by Gay Mitchell, a man that is so far out of date and church obsessed, that he wants the Commonwealth and Europe rules by Rome influence anyway – and he’s said so!
I suspect an agenda – if he had his way!
absolutely not. 1 its a dead notion, 2 apart from sports its just a relic of the past.
I think what most people don’t seem to get is that we could join as a republic. We would not have to have the English monarch as our head of state.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republics_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations
That would be nearly as bad as having Dana as president.
Yes republics are members however the fact that one country’s monarch is the permanent head is contrary to the idea of republics. If the Commonwealth had an elected head then it might be possible. We have to be honest and see the Commonwealth as a unique post-colonial association that includes colonies and independent states with espouses certain ideas but is unable to uphold them.
Aside from symbolism and ideology, there seems to be little benefit to Ireland joining, we are already a member of a number of far broader international organisations.
Personally, I think it’s a very good idea and excellent compromise half way down the road. The way I view the commonwealth is that it connects Britain to the countries it owes an apology and a big debt to – it ties them to their responsibilities.
@Paul
Last I checked It was the British who voluntarily lent us £8billion, their also the only country in the world who have not renegaded on their foreign aid commitments .Who do you think they owe and what for?
@Jeff The British loaned us the money for the sole reason of gaining it back, not to ‘help us out’ or any such nonsense. They have billions of pounds invested in our banking system and like the EU with their bailout, gave us the money in the hope of (a) receiving interest on the loan and (b) getting a return on the money they had previously invested. The loan was not to the Irish people or the Irish government for that matter, it was to our PRIVATE banking system.
Sorcha, where are the offices of ‘our private banking system’? I have not heard of this entity before.
The British lent the money to our exchequer. Yes, they had selfish reasons for doing so (if we go down they are screwed) but they also did us a favour.
@Donal, the offices of our banking institutions are located all around the country. Although I know you’re being sarcastic.
It wasn’t a favour, nor is the bailout package from the EU a favour. It was in British interest to loan Ireland the money. IN matters of finance, I hardly think any country in the world is doing ‘favours’ when they’re cutting from their own economy. A favour would be a loan with low or no interest rates.
Sorcha, you claimed we (the Irish State) were not lent the money, but we were, please excuse the sarcasm.
The British followed the EFSF during the summer and dramatically reduced the rate we were charged.
Can you tell me what would have happened if we had not received these loans? We would have defaulted on our loans, our banking system would have collapsed and anyone who relies on the State for their income (civil servants and social welfare recipients) would have seen their incomes plummet. So I do think we were done a favour, even if it was not a totally altruistic one. It is also worth point out that EFSF will be applying no margin to the money we were lent (I don’t actually know if this also now applies to the loan from the UK).
In any case, this is irrelevant to the debate around the Commonwealth (I know you didn’t raise it). The UK is just another member of the the modern Commonwealth.
I think it is good that it has been put out there, but feel it would be very problematic. Joining the Commonwealth of Nations, in exchange for a united Ireland, would not make Ireland a united free state as the Gary suggests but there are other issues at stake. While states remain independent and sovereign (to the limited extent any of them are as part of any economic or political union), the Commonwealth of Nations is an archaic arrangement built on the British Commonwealth. The Queen remains the unelected head, a further remnant of the stale systems of monarchy that give ultimate power to someone by virtue of their birth. And several members of the Commonwealth remain under her realm. To join such an arrangement is to give validity to the undemocratic systems that lay at the foundation of this set up.
My 2c.
That’s exactly it! Really well put, Dan!
If you don’t have economic freedom dan your not free … Total against the idea …..
Dan, do ya really beliave that you have here in Ireland a democratic system? Oh common, it’s looks like a mappet show where old money families and their servants pull the strings. Demos don’t rule this country in any way. Look at last Lisbon threaty vote just in instance.
The Queen is the unelected head of the UK but plenty of Irish go to work there which surely “give validity to the undemocratic systems that lay at the foundation of this set up”? I cannot see a major problem opting to join something you could as easily leave when you wanted. Am I missing something obvious?
@gary – no country has economic freedom, its a fallacy to assume we can return to a state of total self-reliance given the extent of dependance that now characterizes relations between countries and forces them to make economic compromises (which negates the idea of possibly having economic freedom).
@Sarah – no, I do not think what we have here is a democratic system. I could spend an age writing about why the party system of representation we have is a failure. But I don’t see why that should stop us trying to change it. We might agree on that though.
@paul – what has this got anything to do with people moving to England? That’s just twisting the argument to something I never broached above. As for joining something you could as easily leave – I don’t know the process of membership, the costs involved etc of joining or leaving such a political organisation, so cannot comment on that point. I would imagine there are costs and implications though.
@gary, maybe I misread you. maybe you meant economic freedom in the free market sense of Milton Friedman and van Hayek?
Under her Realm?? You mean like Australia who voted in a referendum to stay “under her realm” in a democratic election??
Whats a Commonwealth? And whats a Commonwealth of Nations? Oh you mean the BRITISH Commonwealth.. well.. why didn’t ya say so!!?
Of course we should join – as soon as we have a 32 county Republic, reparations for 800 years of occupation, the return of the Stone of Destiny, canceling of all peers given to Irish citizens, mandatory Irish lesson in all English Public Schools, the return of our Scottish lands we won by conquest and 12 points in every Eurovision Song Contest for the 25 years *except if we reenter Dustin the Turkey. And naturally that they build a Chunnell from Rosslare to Le Harve. Other then that i don’t see a problem..
Not to be pedantic but just to comment on your remark about the Stone of Destiny. The stone taken by Edward I of England to Westminster has been proven by geologists to be a “lower Old Red Sandstone” quarried in the vicinity of Scone in Scotland. This account has, naturally, limited its history to that land. Lots of people have differed on the specific Scottish-Pictish origin of the Old Red Sandstone of which the artifact is comprised but the Irish geological origin has been precluded.
I find this comment very good except for maligning a certain turkey who must be the only turkey missing from the presidential election – either I need a new pair of glasses but does his uncle seem to be in the race already … ;-)
Joining the British Commonwealth is a brilliant idea for comedians -
they will have work for years to come out of it – But why ??? other than take part in the Commonwealth Games – because all the Wealth went to Britain and the civil wars and poverty stayed at home. Those who really wish to live in the British Commonwealth could move there while they still can and let the Republic of Ireland get on with it’s business of restoring it’s democracy that has worn very thin in the last years ….. Could it be that some Irish are suffering from `Stockholm Syndrome ` ? just a thought. Maybe it is the fault of the
Tourist Board who seem to promote the History of the Oppressor as the vision of Romantic Ireland – luring people to Big Houses and Castles….. Places like Bunratty – visions of culture and romance with Irish colleens when is was a home to a bunch of murderous thugs and most colleens would rather die than enter it ….. Ireland needs a major re-think of it’s history ….. sorry for the rant but after almost 40 years abroad the images of Ireland sold to tourists has reached trauma levels ;-) ….. I want to see pics of Ireland in the rain and mist not some magic blue sky …..
If the Tuatha de Danann’s Stone of Destiny is a fake (as i believe it is) then that means the Queen of England is not rightly crowned monarch. And if this is the case then there is no Commonwealth and the (deliberately misleading) question contained in this article’s title is moot. And it also begs the question – WHO then is the current ruler over the English dominions?
It won’t be a united Ireland …. It will be a united free state..
EU controls laws , budgets and foreign policy so I think we lost any semblance of a free anything after Lisbon .So It makes no dam difference unless I’m missing something ?
The blue shirt and the west Brit want us to join the commonwealth,now there`s a surprise.
As a partner nation, who has been recognised as an independent nation by the head of the commonwealth? Sure, why not?
Jesus, we spent 700 years, where countless Irish men, women and children were killed or murdered, trying to win our Independence and now less than 100 years later there are fools on here wanting a Commonwealth. Shame on you all.
Erin Go Brath!
yes 700 years fighting for independance only to sign it away to Europe, and become their subjects. ruled over by unelected policy makers in strasborg
Totallt agree with you Jim,some of the comments are disgusting.
Sorry Robert but the IMF and ECB sovereignty debate is entirely different to the commonwealth debate. At some stage we’ll have paid them back and that will be that.
Ah would you get over yourself and stop playing the patriot card "waagh waagh 700 years" start looking to the future, stop spouting Pseudo IRA bullish*t and take a look at what it means to be a responsible republican citizen rather then what the terrorists tell you.
Not caring about imf ecb, but signing up to lisbon erodes national identity and policy making and hands it to unelected policy makers in europe, the irish government and many others within the “european family” are now just there to implement policy not make it.
Sorry Sean but I’m not citing any IRA ‘bullshit’. I’m acknowledging the thousands of Irish people who died for so we could gain out freedom. Yes I agree about looking to the future but not for the price of giving the two fingers to our history and our anchestors. I’d like to see your open on this if you and your family were driven from their home and possibly killed.
Quite frankly people like you are a disgrace, you should be ashamed of yourself. You are Irish on paper only. Anybody who refuses to accept and be proud of their nations past, history and anchestors should not be leaving in Ireland.
When you’re abroad and people ask you where you’re from what do you say? Your Irish. Next time don’t bother even replying.
I’m a nationalist. I do not condone terrorist activity. I believe in a united Ireland, if that’s what people in northern Ireland want.
The north may well be a legal state, but that doesn’t change the fact that British forces came here and took land that did not belong to them in the first place.
To suggest we join a commonwealth so you can get a cosy job in some MNC is ridiculous and a complete disregard for our country.
I’m proud to be Irish. I’m proud of my countries history. I’m proud of people who died so we could be a free nation and I’m proud of everyone who continues to make choices that truly benefit Ireland.
Please excuse the typos, on a iPhone – not ideal for proof reading.
@Jim, many of the Commonwealth nations are also part of the British Empire and had a political or military revolution to gain their independence. The Commonwealth is more of a grouping of nations who share some common goals economically, politically and otherwise. They also like to play cricket and have their own version of the olympics.
As said earlier, we could voluntarily join tomorrow if it was in our interest to do so. It’s not rejoining the Empire or recognaising any other head of state, It’s no big deal. In fact if I there was some sort of reunification deal on offer, I’d say being a member of the Commonwealth would be bottom of the agenda.
In that case, perhaps we should ‘give’ Scotland back to the Picts. After all, we founded it.
Forget about a united Ireland, the question of whether or not to rejoin the Commonwealth should be seen on its own. If you view the Commonwealth as a grouping of nations with a common history and language (which I do), then I think the fact that we are not a member just shows how blinkered we are about the past.
If the Indians and Pakistanis (who endured much oppression under the British) can be a member, I don’t see why we can’t. Its time we grew up as a country and accepted that the past is the past.
I agree Stephen that ‘ the past is the past ‘ and we should move on , but what GM is suggesting is moving on walking backwards ….. So I am afraid I strongly disagree with him and I am really surprised by it considering his own party’s history! Michael Collins comes to mind , or am I completely misunderstanding the issue ?
Quite right Stephen, the past is the past. And it is only in the slavishly ignorant past that a monarchy could exist, let alone be head of a commonwealth of nations plundered under that monarchy. The fact that we have not joined is a testament to our independence, rather than an contradictory to it.
Our independence!?! The people of Scotland, Wales and NI have more independence than the ROI! The direction of the country is determined by the IMF-EU! We left one Union to be dominated by another!
Do people think having a unite Ireland is that important. Especially when the majority of the people in the north don’t want it. Why should we be lumbered with the north. They can’t even sustain themselves. The cost to this state paying for it would be overwhelming. Plus it would also mean having those religious nut job robinsons in our dail. No thanks.
The nationalist people whom we betrayed feel a reunited Ireland is very important,as do all Irish nationalist/republicans.
Yeah well I think any talk of a united Ireland should be put to a referendum. Politics up north is totally different to down here and those DUP’s are freakishly scary. No way would I want them part of our dail. It would be like a party of danas!!! Sure its up to them to vote on it and they don’t want It!! Plus if it did happen we should make UK pay for them coz they can’t be financial sustainable.
Over my dead body!
Now we are seeing the real GAY Mitchell…….Is he your real President? Or one who will sell you out?
Whilst we’re at it why not join the League of Nations? And the Hanseatic League? And the Soviet Union? And the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine? And the Stonecutters?
By the way I too would LOVE to live in a united Ireland , but it is not possible or practical in today’s financial climate . A 32 county united nation …Stuff of dreams but not in the common wealth .
I had another comment here earlier , as indicated by……By the way…! but it seems to be gone. However I will say again that I cannot see why Gay Mitchell would suggest such a thing unless he has an ulterior motive for doing so and I consider him a dangerous idiot …
Keep dreaming! There’s never been a ‘united Ireland’ except under British rule and that was dubious to say the least. Given that the majority of people in the six counties wish to remain apart of the UK i’d go away and find a better dream, one that might come true, like winning the lottery or watching a banker go to jail!
Does anyone remember an episode of Val Falvey TD where Ardal O’Hanlon’s character admits that he would sleep with another man if it meant there’d be a united Ireland in the morning?
This is just like that, only much funnier.
This is pure desperation by MItchell and another ludicrous idea, like the one he had to host the Olympics 20 or so yrs ago. The fact that he must think this will resonate with Irish people is very disturbing. Like Norris, his campaign is descending into farce.
Fully agree John, but as an aside – the comment was made when we bailed out Anglo that we could have hosted the Olympics ten times over for less. It’s amazing what we can “afford” when we have to.
Billions lost and nothing to show for it…. At least Athens has an olympic village..
Seeing as the only time the island of Ireland was united as a political entity was under British rule it might make sense. But as a rule, I’m completely against a ‘united’ Ireland. Economically it makes no sense, culturally the two areas are completely different and the political establishment in both areas of the island are a world apart. At best let Northern Ireland exist as an independent state with strong ties to the UK and Ireland for trade, if they wish to do so within the commonwealth all the better for them.
“culturally the two areas are completely different”
How?
There’s an entrenched divide in the culture that has been passed from generation to generation. A unique sense of Irishness and Britishness that isn’t shared by the rest of this island or for that matter Great Britain. This I admit is a result of conflict but it’s not something that will go away over night and certainly a ‘united’ Ireland would probably fan the flames of it for decades to come. For reference watch the Vice Guide to Belfast (http://www.vice.com/vice-news/vice-guide-to-belfast-1).
I’ve discussed this with friends of mine from Belfast and Derry, they refer to the lingering and constant divide between the two cultures of the north. As much as they would like to see this in the past they say it rears its head in nearly every community in the north. Northern Ireland is culturally different than the south, to ignore that is nothing but nationalistic dreaming.
So if the rest of Ulster had to be incorporated (gerrymandered) into N.I those of us from Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan would have been conditioned into a separate culture?
David Trimble made the same assertion a few years ago and was derided by both sides of the political divide and by members of his own party.
I don’t feel culturally different to my friends, family and indeed my girlfriend who are from the north so maybe you can tell me why I should….
Let everyone else join the Irish Commonweath.
Surely you mean commonNOwealth?
I love it
I think there’s a few hurdles more significant than who our head of State would be. Getting Unionists to the Dáil would be the first. Paying the 700,000 people working for the civil service would be the next (60% of all adults in the North).
I sincerely believe that partition is the worst thing that ever happened to our State but it has been a reality for 89 years and you cannot just turn back the clock. I consider myself an Irishman first and then a European. Under no circumstances would I want to revert to the Commonwealth. I want peace, prosperity and trade amongst all 32 counties but neither North nor South are ready for a united Republic.
Do People realise that tge majority in Northern Ireland want to say as they are and do not want to become a part of the republic? I lived there for three years, it has nothing to do with religion. People have become used to their currency, speed limit, laws, university systems. it would be a bureaucratic nightmare to try and change all of that especially when the people don’t want to!!
There won’t be a “united Ireland” so that point is moot. Should the Republic join the Commonwealth? Why not, the more international organisations we can join and influence, the better.
It’s not all about job creation!!! What about our sovereignty? What about a free Ireland? What about the people who died so we could be a free nation?
I suggest you and all your pro-commonwealth buddies get the next ferry over to the UK and don’t come back. Ever.
Sovereignty lol. Where have you been!! Welcome to the puppet state of the ECB/IMF.
Just because you dont want it doesn`t mean that Ireland won“t be reunited.
Keith is right, times have changed, to join the commonwealth would unite us closer to other countries far away from Europe and America, what this will be about is our choice to join, what is sovereignty anyway? Has it made your like in anyway better? Not to me it hasn’t and won’t the world is moving foreword and I think Ireland should too
@Jim
Sorry to burst you’re bubble but Ireland has less sovereignty in 2011 than it had in 1911 .Your head of state is Herman Van Rompuy you’re future economic prosperity is decided by German bankers and the over paid politicians have about the same real power as the major of London or New York.
@paddy In fact it does, everyone’s view counts equally, since it will only happen if the people north AND south want it to. It is by no means clear that a referendum on the matter either side of the border would result in a vote for unification.
And strictly speaking it should be ‘united’ not ‘reunited’. There has never really been an entity that could be called a united Ireland, so we would truly be heading into uncharted territory with such a referendum, which may explain why it is not a clear cut issue for everyone.
I can’t believe people are having this debate. A united Ireland can NEVER come about without the consent of the people of the north, full stop, no if’s or buts! The commonwealth no longer represents the major colonial power the England once was. It has been reduced to a glorified tag and sporting games every few years.
A united Ireland question can never come about without the consent of the people of the Republic either!
True Ciaran, both it can only come about when both sides agree in referendum
Aside from symbolism and ideology, there seems to be little benefit to Ireland joining, we are already a member of a number of far broader international organisations.
…and far better!
Oh…let’s have some tea on the lawn as we watch Johnny-Bob and Jim-Bo toss their balls in their freshly creased cricket wares.
@ Dan Delaney
Thats just thick. I have no idea of your political ideas on this topic but just stupid.
Had to laugh at all the West brits speaking for US Northerners (Hope Donegal is included or do you idiots believe ROI stops at Dundalk?). I lived there for 5 minutes and it would be a nightmare changing the universities et al lol. Elizabeth you are an idiot, you have a BRITISH system of government, you have BRITISH universities systems in the 26 counties so where is the alleged chaos? Such a terrible place you can’t wait to flock here to spend your money, just watch the caravan of free state registered cars heading North any given day.” Their different up there in the North” another classic pearl if wisdom from an ESN, we are different , we’re Irish not some Brit wannabe with a Rugby team ashamed of their National Anthem and a cricket team that are a joke. Afraid of the DUP, you should be more afraid of the brown bag corrupt scum that have dragged Ireland into the poor house you can find them in Leinster House. Grow a spine you are supposed to be Irish not some Brit puppet state.
Spot on Paul.
It’s a fallacious question, for a number of reasons.
1. Ireland cannot have a “united Ireland” without the consent of Northern Ireland. This is in our constitution as part of the Good Friday Agreement. Let’s be honest, it is never going to happen our lifetime. Although if the world’s financial system crashes, which it might, anything can happen.
2. Economically this country is now a basket case that is a part of “The New Third World”. We can’t afford to run this state let alone absorb the fiscal responsibilities of Northern Ireland.
The wrong question is being asked.
Instead of banging the populist tribal drum as a desperate electoral gimmick by appealing to the myth of nationalism, lets ask a more relevant question to the Ireland of 2011.
How about asking this question instead:
Should Ireland re-join in exchange for have our county freed from the oppressive choke-hold that the international banks, the IMF and the ECB have over our domestic policy,who are facilitated by Quislings in the form of grubby gombeen politicians and venal property developers,so that the needs of the Irish people are catered for instead of the current cartel of corrupt cronies who are bleeding our country dry?
Question fail.
Britain forms part of the ‘oppressive chokehold’ charging us higher interest rates on their loan than the IMF so maybe that answers your question.
Why does Mitchell care about a United Ireland ? His party certainly don’t.
Of course, Republics are a part of the Commonwealth. Generally what are termed “Banana Republics” – is that what Mr Mictchell has in mind? To heap more humiliation on us, as if the financial gombeens haven’t already done enough damage.
One of the reasons it felt good for me to leave England many years ago was to get away from all that Monarchy bullshit. Commonwealth is just a throwback to the British Empire days and needs to be consigned to the dustbin of history, along with the royals and the pernicious English “class” system.
I think India and Malaysia (two of the biggest and most successful republics in the World) might not be amused by being called called a “Banana Republic” by someone from the IMF/ECB Dependency of Ireland.
No Way At All with the likes of those Tories and the smug Unionists jeering at us if we do.
Just "Yes" or "no" might have been better.
I just don’t understand the attitude of those people who voted “yes” in this poll. Our forefathers laid down their lives to bring us the advent of a land free of rule that had been violently foisted upon it, as recently as 1949, we were still shedding the vestiges of that age long, uncomfortable subserviance to the crown, when we left the commonwealth. And without a thought to history, or the sacrifices that have been made, or the modern Ireland that has emerged, people would just cosily accept that? It doesn’t matter that its “only” an archaic system concerned now mostly with sport or trade. It’s the symbolism of it that causes exasperation. That people would so flippantly accept it not only seems to allude to a lack of knowledge and respect for the past, but a disturbing sense that being coddled by our own material sucesses has so far-removed us from the spirit of being Irish and proud of what we have stood for, and left us placing value only on agreements and collusions that bring us opportunity for making more money.
very scary the no s are less then 50%
Ailís, that’s the problem with democracy. You have to live with majority decisions.
the queens overseer to australia can disolve the australian government if he wanted to.that gives the auatralian government no real power.the people of australia work to keep the royal family in their lavish lifestyle.wake up folks,we need to be heading the other way,all countrys need to become republics with their own people looking after their own wellfare.did anyone ever sit down and think what the word commonwealth means,common wealth,I have yet to see common wealth in the commonwealth.Ireland will become a proper republic with all its wealth going to the common people,not some family in england who were and are responsible for the slaughter of millions across the globe so that they can rule.If your a monarachist,then go serve your queen and leave us alone.
Whow…this is so wrong were do you begin ? Firstly the Queen’s representative is a her, just like the Prime Minister, and she can only act on the advise of the other her, the PM, not her as in HRH. Australia has been a defacto Republic for decades and as such is in no hurry to formalise that arrangement. In fact if Ireland wants a place in the Commonwealth she can have Australia’s. In addition Australia has not made a contribution to the cost of the British monarchy since 1948
Not true. Australians pay sweet feck all to the Royals. But ALSO. Get this. The Aussie’s voted in a referndum to KEEP THE QUEEN as their head of state. Yes Democratically they still wanted her and do want her. THey obviously feel comfortable with the fact that she can disolve parliament.
And CommonWealth nations which are republics don’t give money to the Royal Family. How ridiculous. Its not even about being a formal colony. Rwanada is a member now.It never was ruled by the British.
@Tony – the political structure in Australia has zero to do with being in the Commonwealth. Australia is a constitutional monarchy and also happens to be in the Commonwealth. India and Pakistan are republics and also happen to be in the Commonwealth. The British Monarch has no role in the affairs of India. Being a member of the Commonwealth those not make the monarch head of state.
Barry Australia has never voted in a referendum to retain the Queen. In 1998 there was a referendum that asked the people to support a Republic where the President was elected by the Parliament and could be sacked with no reason given by the Prime Minister. Not surprisingly even the Republicans voted against it. The Prime Minister who was architect of this cynical grab for power went on to loose his own seat in an election.
@ Barry Williams.
To be more accurate, the Australians voted no for a simple, subtle but very important reason. They were given only two choices:
1. To keep the British Monarch as their head of state
or
2. To have an Australian head of state …DIRECTLY ELECTED by parliament.
That is why they voted no.
WTF ? This nonsense has prompted me to come up with a new campaign slogan; "Gay Mitchell, the candidate you have when you’re not having a candidate"
@ Reada the Conservative Brit vermon will not order an enquiry as it was a Conservative Brit vermon that ordered the murder. She is called Margaret Thatcher.
I just wish Gay would be as ardent in his pursuit of the truth and demand a public enquiry. Not necessary really i suppose cos we all know the truth. But Pat finucane’s family deserve it. As everyone who lost a loved one does. I think a grieving family can handle the truth – not a cover up. We really do need an amnesty and a truth and reconciliation.
Mitchell just wants to provoke McGuinness into saying something negative that will lose him votes.
Mitchell doesn’t care about a United Ireland. And anyhow the President has no say in whether we join the Commonwealth or not.
Other than the Commonwealth Games what else does it do? With so many Irish living in the UK you could argue we are already in it?
I couldn’t ever imagine a situation where it would be offered as an exchange. I’m sure that we could voluntarily join if he wanted to at any time once we meet the criteria.
Anyway, the British Royal is viewed as the head of the commonwealth (in the same way as the EU has a president) and nothing more than that. He/she doesn’t become a head of state and we start hanging pictures up in every state building. Not every Commonwealth member has the British Royal as head of State e.g. Australis does, India doesn’t.
We voluntarily withdrew in 1948/9 because we were busily formalising ourselves as a republic, which weren’t permitted membership then, but there’s no barrier to republics as members now (over 30 at last count). Pakistan withdrew in the 70s and it rejoined 20ish years later, so there’s no obvious reason Ireland couldn’t waltz back in with a half-dozen extra counties thrown in for good measure
The question is, why would we want to? It’s not much of a trade-off for the unionist population of NI – here, have our billions upon billions of debt and inadequate public services, but look on the bright side, you can still compete in the Commonwealth Games.
I think Gay dropped this yesterday to do Cameron a favour. It took the notice off Cameron telling Pat Finucane’s family there’ll be no public enquiry into his murder. I wonder why gay isn’t pursuing the truth here. Seeing as he’s seeking the truth from MMcG. Wouldn’t he like to find the truth he seeks and show the commonwealths collusion in murder. Oh yeah keep forgetting. They mightn’t let him in.
cameron is the human equivalent of the with fungus that grows on dog turds and runs britain like a game of monopoly
not a hope in hell that tramp wud end up wit huge estates over here and we`d have to cut her grass and listen to charlie
What are you on about.What estates does the Queen have in India or Pakistan or Kenya or South Africa or Malaysia.All CommonWealth countries.Which are Republics. Could you name even one??
It’s a mute point it’s a Commonwealth of independent countries, Ireland wouldn’t qualify or be allowed to join by are leaders in Brussels and we already have an unelected head of state he’s Belgian and goes by the name Herman Van Rompuy!
The word "British" was dropped from the Commonwealth 40 years ago.
They wouldn’t have us anyway.
It’s is now a gentleman’s club for cricket lovers only.
We Irish don’t play cricket.
you are wrong there sir, the Irish do play cricket, and beat England in the world cup not so long ago
Dead right there Robert: ranked 11th in the world, English clubs are seemingly obsessed with stealing our best players away, but more to the point we play cricket as a 32 county team. However, this Commonwealth business is pointless nonsense – it might include a full third of the world population from more than 50 countries (including more than 30 republics), and bloody Mugabe’s Zimbabwe is the only other country ever to withdraw from it, but as far as the Irish electorate concerned it would be a return to 800 years of forelock tugging. And we’d probably be right.
pete does anyone? i can only speak for the west midlands tho
Forget the Commonwealth, it’s the NWO you need to worried about
I know this will sound stupid but does anyone have any links that explains all of this because i dont fully understand it :(
Hey Jason , if you read the article above and the links within it , may explain what Gay Mitchell said during the debate yesterday, about seeing Ireland as part of the commonwealth if this was the price of unification …..
Whats the point? We already have fairly good unity with NI. Nationalist have their vote in Stormount as do loyalists. The boarder no longer has any checkpoints and it is much more peaceful now. Forcing a union in the commenwealth would do absolutely flip all. In fact it’s probably as good as we will get anytime soon so why bother. And we’re already part of the EU which allows free trading and travel.
On a side note, I think some people started doing backflips in their grave when that was proposed.
FFS, there’s enough tinpot third world despotic corrupt backward banana republic countries already in the commonwealth without Ireland joining it. Give them a break, what would the Ugandans or the Nigerians think if a country like Ireland came along and showed them all up!
Sod the Commonwealth Games There’s already too much sport on the telly. Relations with UK are good enough without jumping into the same bed with them. The Commonwealth is a pointless anachronism today and, never worry, the “wealth” bit won’t reach the likes of us any more than it did when the gombeen men ruled here..
Looking at Ireland at the present I thought we where already in the Commonwealth
The Irish Cricket team would surely benefit from our membership of the British Commonwealth. Pfffffft! :-)
Mitchell is an asshat that is railing against the world because when he was a younger gurrier he was not allowed to partake in the all-night cider sessions in the Ballyfermot Californian Hills. This is his revenge.
Where’s the answer that begins; “When the Queen dies…” ? Invalid quiz otherwise.
They are rare breed in Ireland Robert.
I never met an Irishman or a Scotsman who understands that arcane game.
It goes on for days and regularly ruins BBC Radio 4 on Long Wave.
i think they should for a few reasons…
1. it would hopfully stop the troubles in NI as both sides would effectivly have what they what.
2. ireland would be a great equal powerhouse within the commonwealth as theynever take any nonsense from uk govenrment (which we brits need)
3. 80% of white brits in england have at least 1 irish grand parent and 30-40% 1 parent
4. it would also help trade and counter anti-eu feeling in britian
these are my views and would love to hear yours too feel free to comment on mine if you disagree, i’v grown up around irish people so i have no problems with giving ireland concessions for any dort of union.
Their flag sucks and we’d need a better offer than commonwealth membership to take on that dump.
Why the obsession with copying the Tudors and creating a United Ireland
Great Bruting Brit had little to offer the people who came in touch with it . Materially ,now it has less ; with an economy reliant on the activities of the very bandits that currently pauperise us . As 3rd generation diaspora , I would advise against any contact that is not disinfected by close scrutiny and healthy scepticism .
Poll: Should the Republic join the Commonwealth in exchange for a United Ireland?
HowStuffWorks “How Air Taxis Will Work”(google search engine)
“Air taxis could make a trip go from taking six hours on the highway to a quick, no-hassles plane ride. Find out how the air-taxi system will operate.”
“Who knows! It might even happen at Dover, Norwich and Fishguard , South -West Wales”
See my other three comments posted
Poll: Should the Republic join the Commonwealth in exchange for a United Ireland?
Comment:
“Where I differ from the “HISTORY MONGERS ”is that:
I HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL!
Poll: Should the Republic join the Commonwealth in exchange for a united Ireland?
Yet another matter:
1) Resist the 2nd Norman Invasion through the Channel Tunnel and Wales.
2) Re-legislate the “Statutes of Kilkenny” –wikipedia to harass
those bearing such Norman surnames as for example D’Arcy and surnames preceded by Fitz..
3) Establishing the Irish language as the language of the majority.
4) Distribute ECTACO voice activated translators in all schools.
With reference to 4) refer to the following
1. Get PDF (652K) – Wiley Online Library
2. (google search engine)
Clairaut actually derived the first Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) formula in 1754! 2. … speech analysis (voice-activated “devices”, biometry, etc.);. • and of course ….. The parameter b indicates the space shifting (or space translation). Wavelet …
1. Cooley–Tukey FFT algorithm – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cooley–Tukey algorithm, named after J.W. Cooley and John Tukey, is the most common fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm. It re-expresses the discrete …
History – The radix-2 DIT case – General factorizations
Question: Am I a “West Brit”? “West Brit” wikipedia
Answer: No. “I am a Dover, South East England “West Brit”
I welcome a tangible relationship with nearby members of the European Union.
5) Most of all – STOP BEING A HYPOCRITE!
I live in Dover, England. Three miles down the road in Folkestone is the channel tunnel.
I am a mathematician. Now, dare I ask, has anybody ever heard of a map without borders ?
Believe it or not , there is such a map. It is called a genetic map!!
For your research curiosity:
google search engine;
1) designer babies, like it or not, here they come
2) Assets: Lower Leeson Street , Dublin Female Irish Models, The Cronin sisters , Aishling, Dervil and Emma
3) List of British , French, German and Italian mathematicians 1500 – 1926 – wikipedia
4) 20 % of the Welsh population were born in England
5) google maps – The Severn Bridge zoom in zoom out – street view.
6) X-ray crystallography wikipedia – Fourier transform
7) Complex analysis – wikipedia
8) [PDF] Revised Dispensation from Canonical Form – Archdiocese of …
9) James Clerk Maxwell – wikipedia, Carl Friedrich Gauss-Wikipedia, Bernhard Riemann -wikipedia
10) one could go on and on interminably!
Have a nice day!
Oh! and by the way:
Electrical impedance
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Complex impedance
YOUTUBEBROADCASTYOURSELF
Cathy’s Rant – Mrs Brown’s Boys – Series 2 Episode 3 – BBC One
BBC•
Sacred Heart contemplating a complex impedance/admittance circuit for the light bulb below the picture.
IT’S A LONG WAY TO LIVERPOOL!!
Do I anticipate further comment on my posting?
YES.
In anticipation:
DON’T COME BACK! WANTED WITH A PRICE ON YOUR HEAD!
have your say