Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should there be a united Ireland?
Position2 of 4

No, Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom

This position holds that Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK. It argues that unification would reward the IRA and risk the hard-won peace, that Brexit showed the dangers of change by referendum, that most Northern Irish people want to stay, and that the cost would burden Ireland.

Supporting arguments · 5

  1. The Northern Irish people want to be part of the UK
    Northern Ireland has a right to self-determination and the majority of people there want to remain British
  2. Northern Ireland is too expensive for Ireland to administer
    Northern Ireland is a very costly region to govern and a small country like the Republic of Ireland could not do so
  3. It would be giving in to the IRA
    A united Ireland would be viewed as a victory for IRA terrorists
  4. Brexit showed the dangers of major change by referendum
    The Brexit referendum created chaos due to unclear consequences, misinformation and a close result. A united Ireland referendum would be a worse version of this
  5. It would disrupt the hard-won peace
    A united Ireland is the most likely way the Troubles may restart and avoiding this should be a key priority for all