argument top image

Should there be a united Ireland?
Back to question

The majority of people in Ireland as a whole support it

The Argument

According to a poll conducted by The Times and UK based company Panelbase following Brexit, 80 percent of Irish citizens are in favor of a united Ireland; 40 percent of whom believe that this reunification will occur within the decade. [1]This energetic support for reunification is correspondingly mirrored in the popularity surge of political parties like Sinn Féin— a party that champions reunification as a central issue. Although Sinn Féin has long held Irish reunification as a major aspiration of their party, in an effort to appeal to the masses, major parties like Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have also established their own positions as ultimately wanting to witness the creation of a united Ireland. [2] Moreover, issues like that of Brexit have only spurred support for reunification. Specifically, as Northern Ireland wishes to remain in the EU and prevent the development of hard borders between itself and the Republic of Ireland, many have found a solution in reunification. Yet, this connection is not unique. Instead, similar conclusions have been made across the United Kingdom; most recently witnessed in Scotland. [3]

Counter arguments

Although the Republic of Ireland is believed to vote overwhelmingly in favor of reunification, nationalists are apprehensive regarding the vote of Irish protestants in Northern Ireland— even reporting that this could ultimately lead to the failure of reunification. [4]

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Polls reported 4 in 5 Irish citizens desire reunification. This support is reflected in the growth of Irish unification as a central talking point of political parties. [P2] Brexit and a wish to prevent militarized borders between the Northern and Southern regions of Ireland have increased desire for a unified Ireland.

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/election-2020-we-want-united-ireland-say-four-in-five-voters-bcsbnkjld
  2. https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/80-percent-irish-votersunited-ireland
  3. https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/others/reasons-why-a-united-ireland-is-definitely-on-the-way
  4. https://time.com/5779707/irish-reunification-likelihood/
This page was last edited on Thursday, 11 Jun 2020 at 22:40 UTC

Explore related arguments