What are your views on the situation in Northern Ireland?

Answer 1

Ireland has been in turmoil for hundreds if not thousands of years. It's an irish trait to debate, only sometimes it goes too far. It's going to play out until they get tired of it all, which may be several hundred years from now. They're a passionate lot, those irish folk...

Answer 2

In one word, I would say "much better".

There is no longer a paramilitary war, the IRA have laid down their weapons, the security forces are greatly reduced, the police can do their job without requiring landrovers and military back-up. It's much quieter and much more peaceful now than it has been in decades.

I think that a huge amount of progress has been achieved and it has to be a benchmark for peacemaking across the world. There are however a lot of things still to do:

* Sinn Fein has yet to agree to join the policing board, so policing remains a political issue.

* The assembly and the executive in Northern Ireland is in mothballs while the DUP refuse to do business with Sinn Fein. So NI is still being ruled directly from London. Surely the politicians of NI are big and bold enough to talk to each other and look after their own local affairs rather than delegating this responsibility to Westminster?

* The split between the Unionist (aka Protestant) and Nationalist (aka Catholic) areas is as strong as ever. Apparently there have been more peace-lines (walls) built in interface areas since the ceasefire than there were before it. Cross community efforts still need to happen.

Answer 3

Unite!

Answer 4

As an Irish American, I have to say, "What situation?" Isn't this an old song sung again. What's the economic importance of Northen Ireland? oops! Have to go. The dog's hungry.

Answer 5

What situation? Leprechauns? Gosh that's a tough one. Can you use a net or do they get out of nets easy?

Answer 6

Well, my ancestors came to this country from Ulster. So wear the orange proudly me friend.