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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Leah Farrell via RollingNews.ie

Varadkar: Irish unity vote shouldn't require supermajority, but unionists must feel 'wanted'

The Taoiseach said work will have to be done to make Unionists in Northern Ireland feel ‘welcome’.

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said that it would be a bad idea for a referendum on Irish unity to require a supermajority to succeed.

He was reacting to comments made this week by Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker, who expressed regret that the Brexit referendum did not require a supermajority to pass, and suggested any vote on a united Ireland should also use such a threshold.

Speaking in Brussels, on the second day of the European Council meeting, Varadkar said the calls for a supermajority include “indications are that it would be defeated and it would also be divisive”.

“That’s why the focus has to be on getting the Good Friday Agreement working again, and institutions up and running,” he said.

He highlighted the failed 1999 referendum for an Australia Republic, as well as Quebec’s attempts at independence. 

“Having a referendum on such an important matter that you may not win is fraught with risk, defeat, division,” he continued.

“If we’re going to win a referendum on that matter, a huge amount of work has to be done to convince the British people in Northern Ireland, those who have Unionist Loyalist British identity, that they’re welcome, they’re wanted, that a United Ireland would be a warm home for them.”

Political Editor Christina Finn reporting from the European Council meeting in Brussels

Additional reporting by PA

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    Mute
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:40 AM

    Feel wanted. Really, they will expect us to rejoin the Commonwealth, change our national anthem to God save the king. Ask us to apologize for gaining independence and that still wouldn’t be enough for them to feel wanted

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    Mute Steve O'Hara Smith.
    Favourite Steve O'Hara Smith.
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:00 PM

    They’re not all DUP.

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    Mute
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:09 PM

    The reality is that for a functioning United Ireland compromise will be required on both sides. Perhaps commonwealth membership, but can’t see God save the King being the anthem somehow, but will Amhran Na Bhfiann be acceptable? What about the national flag? What would a 32 county Oireachtas look like? All these need to be at least discussed before a unity referendum

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    Mute John Mcmahon
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:10 PM

    I’d change the anthem for a united Ireland.
    Some concessions have to made at the start!.
    After a few years all these thing can be rolled back …
    Just ask China and Hong Kong

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    Mute Art Vandelay
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:23 PM

    Commonwealth me hole. We threw off the shackles of the British empire 100 years ago & you want us to cosy up with them again?

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    Mute Gary
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:33 PM

    @: You keep tripping yourself up Z

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    Mute Mike smith
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:42 PM

    @: 15% of the island can’t have a lot of power to change what 85% want. They can keep their blue/black British passports and the Common Travel Area.

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    Mute
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    Oct 27th 2023, 2:14 PM

    God save the king is better than Leo and his cronies.

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    Mute Nola De'e
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    Oct 27th 2023, 2:19 PM

    I think we have compromised enough over the years.

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    Mute Ronan Skelly
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    Oct 27th 2023, 2:31 PM

    I don’t think the anthem is the issue we should be focused on…. what about starting with making the people who live here already feel wanted… like providing homes for people. That would be a good start.

    41
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    Mute Paul Hussey
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    Oct 27th 2023, 3:54 PM

    Most up north don’t want a UI.
    If you try to force it ..people will die .who is going police the north Garda irish army .they will be shot at ..dont think this is thought thru by many .

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    Mute Emmet Murphy
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    Oct 27th 2023, 5:00 PM

    @: Have you not seen the mess, the British have created so far and why most of the world don’t like them. Palestine/NI/India/Australia , to name a few and imagine they insisting on marching for King Willy everywhere. King Willy was Dutch, even the Dutch don’t march to celebrate him and he stole the English crown. How many died, to keep him in power and he taxed them to death to fund his lifestyle!

    40
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    Mute Leonard Barry
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    Oct 27th 2023, 6:11 PM

    @Emmet Murphy: Comical stuff, you should be on stage.

    10
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    Mute Ignatius J Reilly
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:55 AM

    There is nothing to indicate a desire for unification up north so why does this keep coming up down here? Wishful thinking of shinners who struggle with basic maths shouldn’t be dictating political agendas for things that are unlikely to happen for decades yet, if ever.

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:40 PM

    @Ignatius J Reilly: It’s Leo’s desire. Your opinion, my opinion does not matter,

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    Mute nicholas winters
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:49 PM

    @Ignatius J Reilly:

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:59 AM

    Housing, health, economy and uncontrolled immigration are going to be the hot election topics, not some poxy poll that the Shinners are obsessed about, they need to take their heads out of their backsides and focus on real issues affecting the people

    233
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    Mute Jon Doesn't
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:11 PM

    @Mary Toilet: take your head out of your surname… Your uncontrolled hysteria can be cured. Just pull the chain before removing your head.

    136
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    Mute Joe Kelly
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:52 PM

    @Mary Toilet: like ffg do? You should sit on it instead of talking through it.

    73
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    Mute Four Aces
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:19 PM

    Varadkar would love to use a United Ireland to dilute Ireland eg changing our flag, anthem etc.

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    Mute Art Vandelay
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:29 PM

    @Four Aces: Yeah, dead right, everyone knows that’s all he got into politics for. He’s gonna change the tricolour to a rainbow flag, the anthem to YMCA & make us all sing showtunes everyday at noon & 6pm instead of the angelus we all love and respect. He won’t stop there either, oh no. He’ll set up farms to extract hormones from babies and put microchips in us as we sleep while he cackles away like the evil genius he is.

    153
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    Mute Gary
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:37 PM

    @Four Aces: The real Irish in this country, considering we are fast enroute to be like Holland will never vote for our flag to be surrendered to appease the low lying Scot invader settlers. Never.

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:51 PM

    @Gary: The ‘real Irish’ are bigots like you?

    Like Holland in what way?

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    Mute David O Brien
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:34 PM

    @Art Vandelay: Jaysus

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    Mute The Firestarter
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    Oct 27th 2023, 2:40 PM

    @Gary: Well then Gary you little xenophobe, you will never get the United Ireland that you so desire. Unless we are prepared to compromise on several major issues, there will be no United Ireland. Try to force Loyalists into a United Ireland and watch as another civil war ensues.

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    Mute Art Vandelay
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    Oct 27th 2023, 3:55 PM

    @Gary: Ah, Ray Cyst, tis yourself!

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    Mute S Os
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    Oct 27th 2023, 5:50 PM

    @Gary: what are you talking about???

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    Mute Martainn O'keefe
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    Oct 27th 2023, 8:26 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: and we wonder why they don’t trust us . Why on earth would even moderate northerners feel welcome with that attitude. I see it all the time on here , bash the Brits bash the west Brits bash the unionists . Lump all British people in together as brexit voting xenophobic racists . Actually that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m as proud an Irish Republican as any man but I was only ever treated well politely and made welcome any time I was there in the UK.

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    Mute Sean Walsh
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    Oct 27th 2023, 8:46 PM

    @Art Vandelay: You and the 123 likes you got, just confirms what a twisted and sad country and Ireland could turn into.

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    Mute Martainn O'keefe
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    Oct 28th 2023, 9:54 AM

    @Art Vandelay: your angelus has absolutely no significance to those of us who ditched the catholic cult supernatural nonsense , atheists and those of other faiths. I see it as a warning bell to keep organised religion at arms length . It certainly has no place in a state funded broadcaster .

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    Mute Rory Wilson
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:51 AM

    I think we might be surprised by the number of protestant voters who, given the shambles they are living in and the attraction of being in the EU, would vote in favour of a united Ireland. That, of course, would leave us with the rump of Donaldson supporters and the Loyalist paramilitaries – -
    Troubles 2?

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    Mute Mike smith
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:43 PM

    @Rory Wilson: The English will let them know that the jig is up. There will be no outside support.

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    Mute Longlin
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    Oct 27th 2023, 3:05 PM

    @Rory Wilson: There would definitely be a few percent of the Protestant population up north that would vote for Irish unity. It was always there but has probably grown since Brexit. Unfortunately for supporters of Irish independence, there’s a significant chunk of the traditionally Catholic population who would reject the prospect though. I’ve yet to see any realistic verified poll ever done that would give an overall majority near in favour of unity.

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Oct 27th 2023, 4:37 PM

    @Rory Wilson: They are still in the EU.

    Effectively anyway.

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    Mute Martainn O'keefe
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    Oct 27th 2023, 9:12 PM

    @Rory Wilson: despite its tribulations , they have universal healthcare free at point of use .they’ll never give that up . Unionist or Republican

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    Mute Emmet Murphy
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:34 PM

    If Unionists want to be part of Ireland, then they can be and they are not God;s chosen people. You live in a Republic, or you go live in a country that suits your political leaning or beliefs. May I suggest, the Falkland islands and march your Orange backside off there or move to Holland?

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    Mute Margret Walsh
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:44 PM

    @Emmet Murphy: a few good ideas there !

    45
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    Mute DJ D
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:01 PM

    If 50% + 1 is good enough to keep the UK governing the North then 50% + 1 is good enough for Nationalists when they win the vote eventually. There cannot be any Supermajority. Typical british establishment, always rearranging the goal posts to suit them

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    Mute
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:36 AM

    Wait, we are supposed to want what now?

    72
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    Mute Joseph (Joseph)
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:43 AM

    @: money. redemption. sacred heart of jesus christ. holy water. craic. rte court reports. jealousy. suffering. confession. repent. repent. repent.

    27
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    Mute Chris O'Brien
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:33 PM

    Unionists CAN’T BY DEFINITION feel wanted.

    Unionists MUST WANT to ditch Unionism and be part of a Republic. Not a dictatorship.

    They don’t and won’t.

    They are loyal to a madey-uppy Royal family.

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:45 AM

    Never gonna happen

    70
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    Mute Mike smith
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:39 PM

    @Mary Toilet: Is that you Union Jack Moss?

    64
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    Mute Chutes
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:56 AM

    Are they wanted? Like at all?

    63
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    Mute Alan Casey
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:39 PM

    Wanted by who Leo. UK doesn’t want them and while we want our six countries back it would be much nicer without them.

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    Mute Martainn O'keefe
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    Oct 27th 2023, 9:10 PM

    @Alan Casey: I hear this narrative all the time from outside but never from the Brits .

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    Mute Ronan Skelly
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    Oct 27th 2023, 2:34 PM

    This man never ceases to amaze me….. perhaps we can start by making all who live in the 26 counties feel wanted… like providing homes, health care and decent education…. might be more important than what anthem is playing

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    Mute Declan james Carr
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:54 AM

    The Irish door is always open, Irish hospitality is 100% love you neighbour as long as the husband doesn’t find out.

    41
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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:12 PM

    @Declan james Carr: Lol! Thats for the yanks, the Irish are ready to destroy their neighbour if they though there was a loose fiver in the garden.

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    Mute Max Cooper
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:57 PM

    To get our Country finally free of English rule, there is going to be a need for compromise. We simply can’t ignore the facts. There are different people’s, with different beliefs and opinions. Compromise is the only solution to get people together. Unfortunately there are hardliners on both sides. If we give a little, we gain a lot. Finally free our country

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    Mute North South
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    Oct 27th 2023, 2:32 PM

    @Max Cooper: Yours is literally the only comment that doesn’t sound crazy or sectarian

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    Mute Nickb
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:52 AM

    With the benefit of hindsight, the UK should have sought the independent assistance fro a country like ourselves to give guidance and oversight to their infamous referendum.
    With less than 50% turnout and a 51% vote in favour it hardly represents a resounding majority?
    If you are a member of a ‘club you will probably find that to change the rules you a certain percentage of votes and a 60% majority.
    These important referendums need a defined majority of the voters eligible to vote exercising their democratic vote.
    If you don’t care , don’t register.
    It’s a precious privilege!

    28
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    Mute Luka Roche
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:29 PM

    I know Unionists who would gladly vote for a United Ireland and accept Dublin rule once they were represented and not pushed to the wayside like us Irish currently….

    27
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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Oct 27th 2023, 4:44 PM

    @Luka Roche: Maybe we could move the Dail to Belfast.

    (Do it now. And leave them there.)

    8
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    Mute Paddy Geoghegan
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:23 PM

    Maybe it’s time for to demand with his forgien affairs minister should go up north a but on a oranage order sash and get power sharing running again and stop prosituting the people down south for his political gains and tell the DUP to get moving and send home undocumented migrants or the ones who have picked up a conviction.

    25
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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Oct 27th 2023, 3:57 PM

    Loyalists would be very welcome once they complete the required training in our special reintegration camps. 10 years should do the trick!

    14
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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Oct 27th 2023, 4:49 PM

    @Alan Kennedy: Maybe we could outsource that to the russians?

    1
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    Mute Andrew Purfield
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:39 PM

    Not required as in it’s not legally required . Strawman nonsense to avoid the debate

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    Mute Shane Doyle
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    Oct 27th 2023, 3:49 PM

    More election postering from varadkar

    14
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    Mute Carl Campbell
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    Oct 27th 2023, 2:32 PM

    As long as the DUP are in the picture there will never be a unites Ireland. Long live the DUP.

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    Mute Art Vandelay
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    Oct 27th 2023, 3:57 PM

    @Carl Campbell: The Dinosaur Useless Party will eventually peter out, or retreat to the safety of the swamp they crawled out of. I suggest you go with them

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    Mute
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    Oct 27th 2023, 7:12 PM

    Firstly, Irish unity is a big issue as it is part of our long history. Now granted there are more contempoary salient issues, social issues that effect peoples eveyday lives that need to be addressed, however this is no reason to park the United Ireland question.

    I agree that we need to accommodate those who identify as British, but, our gov. cannot bend over backwards for the Unionist. There must be compromise. A United Ireland will have to allow them to continue with their 12th of July & other marches. However, and many won’t agree, but, I don’t believe we should have to change our anthem or indeed our flag.

    Certainly allow them to celebrate their culture, make Ulster Scots a national language, but it’s about compromise & not allowing a small minority of our citizens to dictate.

    12
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    Mute Nope
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:28 PM

    How are you getting on with “pausing” the legacy bill Leo?

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    Mute Vincent Hickey
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    Oct 27th 2023, 6:24 PM

    We don’t want them and they don’t want us. As simple as that

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    Mute Jon Doesn't
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    Oct 27th 2023, 12:09 PM

    That’s worth a few Lols

    9
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    Mute he didnt take the 120k because he already got it s
    Favourite he didnt take the 120k because he already got it s
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    Oct 27th 2023, 2:53 PM

    There is at least a decade of talks to happen before any vote, look at the mess of brexit, everything from housing to healthcare to taxes needs to be sorted before a vote is held

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    Mute The Gate Florist
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:48 AM

    We are supposed to allow the voice of the child under irish law check out sisi .ie and you will find the truth.

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    Mute Mary M
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    Oct 27th 2023, 1:10 PM

    But they aren’t .

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    Mute Paddy Up
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    Oct 27th 2023, 8:11 PM

    Well they are not wanted. I would imagine you would see a fairly large exodus similar to white south Africans after apartheid

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    Mute Rory Wilson
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    Oct 27th 2023, 11:44 AM

    I

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    Mute Martin Ryan
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    Oct 28th 2023, 11:57 AM

    God save Ireland
    God save the king
    Both need help and money lol

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    Mute John Reidy
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    Oct 27th 2023, 6:57 PM

    An option worth considering would be a “United States” approach. Having Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and possibly West Ulster and East Ulster. Each “province” having their own governor / Taoiseach, and making some decisions on a “provincial” level.

    1
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    Mute Mike smith
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    Oct 27th 2023, 8:33 PM

    @John Reidy: More politicians, the people don’t want that.

    6
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    Mute Martin Ryan
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    Oct 28th 2023, 11:44 AM

    Irish unity would make Gaza look like
    Mosney.
    3 bombs I Dublin watch the government back down.
    Ireland was never United
    Remember us is Irish killed Brian Boru
    Enough said

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