Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I often look at Northern Ireland with heart palpitations and, simplistically, see it as a terrible, divided, sectarian statelet. It is probably the most sectarian society in Europe. I do not know whether recruitment to the police force and civil service is still done on the basis of religion in the balancing act between Roman Catholic and Protestant. I thank Professor Todd for her paper, which has added an additional dimension to how I view Northern Ireland. She has drawn out some amazing potential contradictions. For example, her report stated that a recent survey showed that more Nationalist voters are prepared to stay in Northern Ireland than move to a united Ireland, yet the participants in the referendum would be the Democratic Unionist Party, not Sinn Féin. Has Professor Todd read into the mindset of politicians in Northern Ireland regarding their views? One presupposes the DUP members are prepared to sell their souls, or political muscle, to the British Labour Party or the Conservative Party. Sinn Féin wants a united Ireland but will not participate in the decision-making process in England because its members do not take their seats.

Although we have debated the issue of the British exit for some time, there are still many questions. We are collectively in a state of desperation that the Tories would consider pulling out of Europe in the short term. We will know soon after the British general election.

Professor Todd's paper explains it would have devastating consequences, including the reinstatement of border control and the alienation of nationalists because they feel more corralled into the North. What does she think Northern Irish politicians think about a British exit?