Northern Ireland's first minister has resigned in protest over a Brexit deal...

...known as the Northern Ireland Protocol.
3 February

"The DUP, which is part of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government, says the checks represent a threat to Northern Ireland's place within the UK."

What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?
"The protocol allows lorries to deliver goods without having paperwork and goods checked when they cross the border from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland.

Before Brexit it was easy to operate an open border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. When both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were part of the EU, they automatically followed the same EU trade rules, which meant no checks were required.

However, a new arrangement was needed after Northern Ireland (along with the rest of the UK) left the EU. The EU has strict food rules and requires border checks when certain goods, such as milk and eggs, arrive from non-EU countries. Similar rules exist in other areas, such as medicine licensing."

How does the Northern Ireland Protocol work?
"Rather than checks taking place along the Irish border, it was agreed any inspections and document checks would take place between Northern Ireland and Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) instead.

This was allowed after it was agreed that Northern Ireland would continue to follow EU rules on product standards (part of the EU's single market rules).

Checks on GB goods take place at Northern Ireland ports to make sure they comply with EU laws. However, this has led to criticism that a new trade border has effectively been created in the Irish Sea."

The UK wants less restriction between NI and GB, but not to ROI, Ireland and Northern Ireland are obviously upset because it goes against the Good Friday agreement and Europe has proposed an 80% reduction on checks from Great Britain. It's a weird situation where the EU and UK both want the same thing, yet Ireland (EU) and NI (UK) don't!

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned. The general gist of this article is how Northern Ireland (and by extension Ireland) is reliant on the UK. ermm

It's been 2 months and the office is still vacant.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-53724381
for further reference.

Ah Stormont. The parliament that didn't sit for 3 years because they couldn't agree if the Irish language should be taught in schools.

Originally posted by jaden_2.0
Ah Stormont. The parliament that didn't sit for 3 years because they couldn't agree if the Irish language should be taught in schools.

What?? 🤪

Why on Earth would that even be up for debate? Language is the domain of schools, not like we're talking about religions or idealogy. Who is supposed to teach it then?

Originally posted by Blakemore
[b]...known as the Northern Ireland Protocol.
3 February

"The DUP, which is part of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government, says the checks represent a threat to Northern Ireland's place within the UK."

What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?
"The protocol allows lorries to deliver goods without having paperwork and goods checked when they cross the border from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland.

Before Brexit it was easy to operate an open border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. When both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were part of the EU, they automatically followed the same EU trade rules, which meant no checks were required.

However, a new arrangement was needed after Northern Ireland (along with the rest of the UK) left the EU. The EU has strict food rules and requires border checks when certain goods, such as milk and eggs, arrive from non-EU countries. Similar rules exist in other areas, such as medicine licensing."

How does the Northern Ireland Protocol work?
"Rather than checks taking place along the Irish border, it was agreed any inspections and document checks would take place between Northern Ireland and Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) instead.

This was allowed after it was agreed that Northern Ireland would continue to follow EU rules on product standards (part of the EU's single market rules).

Checks on GB goods take place at Northern Ireland ports to make sure they comply with EU laws. However, this has led to criticism that a new trade border has effectively been created in the Irish Sea."

The UK wants less restriction between NI and GB, but not to ROI, Ireland and Northern Ireland are obviously upset because it goes against the Good Friday agreement and Europe has proposed an 80% reduction on checks from Great Britain. It's a weird situation where the EU and UK both want the same thing, yet Ireland (EU) and NI (UK) don't!

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned. The general gist of this article is how Northern Ireland (and by extension Ireland) is reliant on the UK. ermm

It's been 2 months and the office is still vacant.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-53724381
for further reference. [/B]

I highly doubt the EU would seriously back anything that would trample on the GFA.

Not to mention that policing that border would be a ****ing nightmare.

Originally posted by cdtm
What?? 🤪

Why on Earth would that even be up for debate? Language is the domain of schools, not like we're talking about religions or idealogy. Who is supposed to teach it then?

Part of the English occupation of Ireland included wiping out Irish culture in all its forms. That includes language, and to this day, saying that most Irish people have even a rudimentary grasp of the Irish language would be optimistic.

Teaching the Irish language would be seen as teaching Irish culture, in a sense, and we can't have that. Because the DUP are a bunch of pussies.

Originally posted by -Pr-
I highly doubt the EU would seriously back anything that would trample on the GFA.

Not to mention that policing that border would be a ****ing nightmare.

Part of the English occupation of Ireland included wiping out Irish culture in all its forms. That includes language, and to this day, saying that most Irish people have even a rudimentary grasp of the Irish language would be optimistic.

Teaching the Irish language would be seen as teaching Irish culture, in a sense, and we can't have that. Because the DUP are a bunch of pussies.

Insane. 😳

Horrific it happened at all, but to think anyone would still support the idea..

Originally posted by -Pr-
I highly doubt the EU would seriously back anything that would trample on the GFA.

Not to mention that policing that border would be a ****ing nightmare.

Part of the English occupation of Ireland included wiping out Irish culture in all its forms. That includes language, and to this day, saying that most Irish people have even a rudimentary grasp of the Irish language would be optimistic.

Teaching the Irish language would be seen as teaching Irish culture, in a sense, and we can't have that. Because the DUP are a bunch of pussies.

Originally posted by -Pr-
I highly doubt the EU would seriously back anything that would trample on the GFA.

I should also point out the Ulster plantation was the most successful plantation project in the world.

Hey Pr, who do you think should get/keep NI?

Originally posted by Old Man Whirly!
👆 I speak a little shelta, which is Irish traveller language and shares some of the same words. I do not understand why the Conservatives are doing this, is it a hate of the Peace...o just don't get their thinking

I don't think "conservative" is quite the right word.

Originally posted by Blakemore
They're not, they're trampling on the trade between NI and GB. The difference is, UK want the checks at the land border and the EU want the checks at the sea border, but NI can't pick a side because they don't want checks on either so gave up.

I should also point out the Ulster plantation was the most successful plantation project in the world.

Hey Pr, who do you think should get/keep NI?

A land border would be a nightmare. Period. The sea border is far simpler.

That's not funny.

If I had to pick one, Ireland, but it's a mess as is.

Originally posted by -Pr-

A land border would be a nightmare. Period. The sea border is far simpler.

Originally posted by -Pr-
That's not funny.

sorry

Originally posted by -Pr-
If I had to pick one, Ireland, but it's a mess as is.

Originally posted by -Pr-
I don't think "conservative" is quite the right word.

Cyrus?

Originally posted by jaden_2.0
Ah Stormont. The parliament that didn't sit for 3 years because they couldn't agree if the Irish language should be taught in schools.

Can Irish even be considered a real language?

(Suck it, PR!)

Originally posted by Robtard
Can Irish even be considered a real language?

(Suck it, PR!)

Yes. I have posted it here before

This is it

YouTube video

It's more like a mixture of English, Gaelic and alcohol.

‘Historical shift for Northern Ireland’: what a Sinn Féin win would mean.
Polls suggest republicans on course to win most votes for first time in Stormont elections – and provide first minister

The latest Northern Irish opinion poll puts Sinn Féin on 26% of the vote, seven points ahead of the Democratic Unionist party on 19%. The DUP fiercely defends Northern Ireland remaining in the UK.

-snip

“Northern Ireland was created as a Protestant state for Protestant people,” says Dr Nicolas Whyte, a visiting professor at the University of Ulster and senior director at the consultancy APCO Worldwide. “To have a nationalist first minister … means that there has been a historical shift.”

-snip

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2022/apr/12/what-a-sinn-fein-win-would-mean-northern-ireland-elections

Thinking about it, losing NI to the ROI (and the EU) might well be the only difference Brexit has done.

As someone who was pro Brexit in 2016, this is beyond embarrassing. haermm

Oh yes...

Brexit ****ed many things up for England but perhaps not the UK members.

We're going to lose the first colony we ever had Since the Henry VIII declared himself King of Ireland.

Holy **** we're dumb!

On the other hand, better trade with Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

So that's pretty cool.