Professor John FitzGerald:

Yes. If we think about the significant problem with the education system in Northern Ireland, the ethos on this island is one of equality of opportunity, and whether someone is from a poor agricultural background or a working class background, they should have an equal opportunity. If we unify and the education system in Northern Ireland has not been reformed, do we immediately force the Irish system on Northern Ireland? I know that would be very unpopular with middle-class nationalists as well as people of a unionist background. Alternatively, do we leave it where it stands whereby there is an ethos that does not believe in equality of opportunity and does not look after kids from disadvantaged backgrounds in Northern Ireland?

We would really need to do that and have that in place before we unify. For the Republic to say “You are going to have to accept our ethos of equality of opportunity if you want to join us” is going to be a pretty difficult sell. That is why it is vital that Northern Ireland reforms itself first and then we can talk about unification.

Even if Northern Ireland wants to remain in the United Kingdom, it will be much better off. Kids from working class backgrounds would be much better off. The United Kingdom as a whole will be better off. So it is a win-win, but having presented the evidence on education in Northern Ireland, there is major resistance from parents who have kids in good grammar schools who will almost certainly go on to university. That is whether they are from a nationalist or unionist background. That is up to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has to sort that out for itself.