When Catholics are the majority in Northern Ireland will Ireland be reunited?

No, it doesn't work that way.

It is easy to assume that every single Catholic is for a United Ireland, and that every single Protestant is against it, but this is by far not the case. It's got nothing to do with religion. Lots of people aren't religious nowadays, but unfortunately here in NI we are forced to pigeonhole our identities as one or the other.

United Ireland will happen when there is a majority vote for it in both Northern Ireland AND the Republic of Ireland.

It is highly unlikely that such a vote will take place for the forseeable future, as I'm sure you are aware, Northern Ireland is finally on the up and out of the troubles, and any idea of change at this stage could endanger the peace process.

I'd say so.

Most Catholics do prefer a United Ireland, and the opposite with Protestants.

I know a lot of Northern Irish (the current teen generation) and they are not on board with the whole Northern-Ireland-being-part-of-Britain thing, I think NI would be better off without the UK and vice versa. But some of the Unionists are willing to die to stay a part of the UK, 'cause they think that the IRA is like Taliban - if they actually looked into Irish history they'd find out that the UK has done things worse than bombings to Ireland in the past and that sparked a never-ending grudge against the neighbours which continues today.

I'm absolutely sure that some blood will be shed if Ireland is United for the first time in over half a millennium.

There will probably be some Unionist Army and they'll bomb Dublin, or something. Then the IRA (the most effective terrorist organisation in history before 9/11) will crush them into the ground and dance on their grave - which will anger the remaining Unionists who will move and negatively affect the economy.

I hope for a United Ireland, it'd be great.

I am from N.Ireland and will try to actually answer your question. You are absolutely right about one thing and that the gap between the two religions is closing. It sits around 60% protestant and 40% catholic at the moment. So in reality the gap closure could take at least another 20 years.

Is it an absolute certainty that when it does, there will be a United Ireland.

I don't think so and there are many reasons for that. Not every single catholic would actually want to be part of an all-Ireland, so one should not assume that.

Just because it is 51% it is not a trigger for that to happen as it would still be difficult to enforce the movement of 1 million protestant people into a state they didn't want to go to.

Maybe in 50 years time who knows, but don't expect anything soon.

No no longer rather, i'm a Catholic and positively their isn't something to connect, in that the worldwide places and aspirations that Nationalism Irish or British of the final 70 years isn't there anymore. in case you bypass into Dublin it would not experience or look like an Irish city The eire I undergo in techniques would not exist, the people of the Republic are the main hedonistic people in Europe and the government is obsessively professional eu. It purely would not choose reunification via fact it skill no longer something to them. I unquestionably have asked them this question, they the two snigger approximately it or look at you in the adventure that your from yet another planet. Dublin can look like downtown Lagos i do no longer prefer to be a piece of that new worldwide order state of affairs.that would not characterize the Irish Nationalism i've got faith in or the British Nationalism or my fellow countrymen. contained in the North you have people residing in a Sectarian techniques-set, the state is a funds sucking parasite run via a spiritual fundamentalist and a unreformed terrorist its a farce and to boot fifty one% over 40 9% contained in the North of a Catholic majority won't swing reunification, under the GFA the two states ought to vote and the questioning is that a tremendous minority of Catholics will vote to stay contained in the united kingdom, and the south does no longer choose 900,000 opposed protestants to handle. So its no longer a spiritual head count type yet a sectarian one. it is not appropriate who regulations us, that's going to be a similar idiots in value. The Irish government is purely as corrupt and inept via fact the united kingdom government. Unelected bureaucrats in Brussels will be certain what occurs in eire no longer the Irish.

Coming from a nationalist, not necessarily. It's not about religion, and I hate the perception most people have that it is, and that the PIRA can be compared to the Taliban. It's completely different.

Ireland will eventually be united, and I hope unto ourselves, as opposed to a larger continental union or whatever. Nationalism should be on the increase as well though, as people realise that Unionist politicians are incapable of running part of a country.

Also, with regards to the current devolution problem - I'm sure you've heard of it (Policing & Justice). It was agreed that this would go through, Sinn Féin are trying to get it put through, but are being blocked by their unionist counterparts, who are making claims that there isn't enough "public confidence" when any evidence would show the opposite. There are effectively decidin for the people, rather than serving the people, which is the key difference between the British and Irish systems imo (draw a cover over Lisbon at this point), and this is why nationalism should increase.

But the margin should probably be 10+% as it can be unpredictable, and we'd rather get it right first time round, than wait another 7 years.

Orla, the roads in the Republic are better than the roads in the UK (especially here) as Europe pays for them.

I don't think it will be that easy, to be honest. Yes, it's one island, but certain things Britain does better, like the roads. Just because someone is Catholic doesn't mean they automatically want a reunited Ireland, and just because someone is Protestant doesn't mean they want to be British. Many of the early Home Rulers were Protestant - historical fact.

I wonder what the questioner's nationality is.

Yes, I'd say that when there is a majority of Nationalists in the north of Ireland that there will be reunification but it'll also have to passed by referendum in the Republic (which it would be without a shadow of a doubt) We would have to accommodate Unionists in some way - this might be possible through a Federal Republic situation (such as exists in Germany and many other countries for example) Just my personal opinion.

That is the plan under 'democracy'. That is what is meant to happen, will it? I hope not in my lifetime.

Things are finally beginning to 'settle' somewhat. If borders were changed now it would open pandoras box and we'd be right back where we started. I am Irish, i know that and don't need any politicians confirmation of that.

I know of very few people who want that. Ideally it would be perfect, the reality however would not work and would not go smoothly...

I think the official stance on that is their has to be a majority vote both North AND South in favour of reunification , while I see a Nationalist majority in the North as pretty much certain to happen at some point , I'm not sure if the South will vote in favour when the time comes , for both Political and Economical reasons. Political being let's face it , the Loyalists , or some large amount of them , may start a massive bombing campaign in Ireland if reunification actually happens , something the South will be all too aware of. Economically the Republic cannot support the North at this time and won't be able to for the foreseeable future.

However when the time comes if/when it is put to a vote on both sides of the border , I'll be voting in favour on a matter of principle , I would never vote against a United Ireland , but I don't speak for everyone , I would love to see it.

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Lol , I was wondering when bitter Alan was going to pop up and threaten doomsday on us all at the thought of reunification lmao aw diddums

No, it's not that black and white and not every Catholic wants a reunited Ireland.

It's naive to think that reuniting Ireland would solve all problems.