Sinn Féin claims on a united Ireland are perplexing

by The Tallyman

MARY Lou McDonald, leader of the Sinn Féin party, has stated that people in cities and towns in Ireland are regularly talking about a united Ireland and the need for this to become a reality in the short term.

Her claim is somewhat perplexing.

To be frank, people speaking about a united Ireland is rarely heard in these parts.

The subject most people are discussing is the war in Ukraine, cost of living and the price of foodstuffs, heating oil, petrol and electricity.

Most Irish people are keen on the idea of a united Ireland. This is understandable.

But at what price?

The twelve or fourteen billion pounds currently paid by the British government to keep the show on the road in the north of Ireland?

The cost of bolstering up the free health and education service in the north?

There are many more areas in the north which are currently subsidised by the British government.

Are the people of the Republic willing to stick their hands in their pockets and shell out the cash to pay for those services?

The people of the Republic should all be asking themselves those important questions.

Apart from all that, there are many loyalists in the north who will never accept a united Ireland and would take the law into their hands to firmly resist it.

Not a very pleasant thought.

Elections will be held in Northern Ireland in May and Sinn Féin are hotly tipped to be the leading party with Michelle O’Neill being the first minister.

Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP have indicated they may not accept Michelle O’Neill as first minister.

This is totally contrary to what democracy is all about and would not be accepted in any civilised country.

Donaldson should come off his high horse and accept the will of the people. He and his colleagues are acting like spoiled children.

Back to the idea of a united Ireland.

Just look at what happened in Belfast when Minister Simon Coveney was speaking under the banner of the John and Pat Hume Foundation to promote peace amongst all classes in the North.

A bomb hoax was perpetrated by a bunch of bigoted loyalists and Simon Coveney and others had to make a dash for safety.

United Ireland will come in its own good time.

And what price is the taxpayer willing to pay for this long sought ambition?

It may be Sinn Féin's goal to see it becoming a reality in the short term.

But it's an issue that also carries immense political risks.