Ireland to re-join Commonwealth??

[earl]

The Irish Government today faced further calls to rejoin the Commonwealth.

Following appeals in the Assembly yesterday for Ireland to rejoin the
international organisation headed by the Queen after 58 years, the secretary
general of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Dr William
Shija, said the time had come for Ireland to embrace the diversity offered
by the group of 53 nations from across the world.

Mr Shija noted the vast majority of members were republican nations.

The former Tanzanian minister said: "We look forward indeed to when not only
the other part of Ireland but other parts of the world are looking at the
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as an association which respects
diversity and differences and multi-cultural approaches.

"I look forward to an inclusive process by having more members."

The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson and Alliance Party's Sean Neeson yesterday
called on Ireland to rejoin the Commonwealth following recent strides
forward in the peace process.

In 1949 the Irish Government under Taoiseach John A Costello left the
Commonwealth on becoming a republic.

Eamon de Valera's grandson, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht
Affairs Eamon O Cuiv has backed the idea of Ireland returning to the
Commonwealth in a bid to reach out to unionists.

The CPA is a group of parliamentary bodies within the Commonwealth and
includes regional and national parliamentarians from the UK, Canada,
Australia, Nigeria, India and Pakistan.

Mr Shija was attending the opening ceremony at Stormont of its CPA's British
Islands and Mediterranean Region's conference.

Stormont First Minister Ian Paisley and Assembly Deputy Speaker Francie
Molloy addressed the event whose theme this week is equality.

Delegates from Gibraltar, St Helena, Malta and Cyprus joined Scottish MSPs,
Welsh Ams and Westminster MPs along with members from Pakistan and South
Africa for the 38th annual conference.

The conference, which runs until Thursday, will discuss how Northern Ireland
has moved away from conflict.

Mr Paisley welcomed CPA members to the province and hoped they would learn
from the good parts of Northern Ireland's history.

"Our society is increasingly diverse, and the opportunities that a more
peaceful future presents must be available to all," the DUP leader said.

"As a society we are strengthened through unity and diversity. This isn't
something to fear."

He added that progress had been made through anti-discrimination legislation
and measures to address disadvantage.

"But while policies are important, it is the things that people do which
ultimately make the difference.

"A major focus of the Northern Ireland Executive will be to ensure that the
policy translates into real action."

Yesterday's decision to enter the association was taken without opposition
from Sinn Féin, a fact welcomed by Dr Paisley.

Sinn Féin Deputy Speaker Francie Molloy said he was welcoming the delegation
in his neutral capacity as a leading officer of the House.

He said people in the North could enjoy a future free from fear and
violence.

"We have an opportunity to learn from you and see how we can work together
in developing a system of government which can accommodate and over time
overcome distrust and division," he said.

[bearhunter]

And once again, can anyone give one good reason why Ireland should re-join the Commonwealth?

[Blue Angel]

er, um, hmmmmm, look i'm thinking about it ok Seriously no I can't see any reason either.

[An Fear Dubh]

If Unionists agree to a United Ireland on condition of joining would be a good reason??

[earl]

bearhunter said:

And once again, can anyone give one good reason why Ireland should re-join the Commonwealth?

I was actually looking up as to who is in it and what exactly are the advantages. The main advantage (and nearly only advantage) is an immigrants status within the UK as regards voting rights and such like is on par with the locals, if the immigrant comes from a commonwealth country. But the thing is, the Ireland act of 1950 or so grants Irish people this right anyway without having to be in the commonwealth. Sure a Kerryman born and breed in a Gaeltacht is eligible to sit in the house of Lords FFS, such is the status given to Irishmen in the UK. Essentially, under law, an Irishman is not foreign in the UK.

There are advantages in ease of movement between commonwealth countries, but the Irish passport is regarded as one of the best in the world for acquiring access, so again this advantage is void. The EU and our cosy business relationship with the U.S. also voids many advantages to being in the commonwealth.

If it is a requirement to reunification some time in the distant future (if it occurs at all), then I have no issue joining it. Until that time, there is no reason for membership.

[An Fear Dubh]

So Earl would it be true then the other way. That people from other comonwealth countries would have greater freedom of movement and be allowed to stay longer legally in another commonwealth country.

As it seems that the great enthuasism for this idea comes from unionists that share very similiar views to Wasp, ie republicans and immigrants are unwelcome. So by joining the commonwealth it would allow a greater influx of immigrants (mainly African as that is where most commonwealth nations are from) into Ireland.

The benifits for this proposal are hard to establish and the zeal of unionism to create a greater sense of Britishness are as usual ill-thought out and lack merit.

[earl]

anfeardubh said:

So Earl would it be true then the other way. That people from other comonwealth countries would have greater freedom of movement and be allowed to stay longer legally in another commonwealth country.

As it seems that the great enthuasism for this idea comes from unionists that share very similiar views to Wasp, ie republicans and immigrants are unwelcome. So by joining the commonwealth it would allow a greater influx of immigrants (mainly African as that is where most commonwealth nations are from) into Ireland.

The benifits for this proposal are hard to establish and the zeal of unionism to create a greater sense of Britishness are as usual ill-thought out and lack merit.

As far as I can make it out, it's up to each individual country in how much freedom they allow immigrants from other commonwealth countries to have.

[bearhunter]

That's true Earl. The UK has made it harder recently for Kiwis to stay there and work, although I notice Ireland has made it easier for them. As regards Setanta's point about Oz and NZ becoming republics, this is inevitable, but I'm not sure it will affect their Commonwealth status. One of the arguments for republicanism down here is that it doesn't mean you have to leave the Commonwealth, which is viewed fondly in these parts.

[Wasp]

AFD when did I say immigrants are unwelcome? I believe I said the immigration problem needed to be sorted and those who continued to commit crimes should be sent packing especially if it involved serious crime. I did not say immigrants are not welcome, so please don't say things which are not true.

Speaking out on immigration does not make me racist nor does it mean that immigrants are not welcome.

[Jim]

Does joining the commonwealth place citizens of ireland as subjects of the Queen?

[earl]

jim said:

Does joining the commonwealth place citizens of ireland as subjects of the Queen?

Don't think so. She is the figurehead of the commonwealth, kind of like a mascot, but in our case, that would be it. A secretary heads the thing, so she has no influence or say in it. If we joined the commonwealth in the morning, nothing would change, bar our athletes would have an extra competition to compete in and our politicians would have more meaningless meetings in tropical places. For the ordinary man on the ground, he wouldn't even notice.

[An Fear Dubh]

I notice that you did not correct me on your view that republicans are unwelcome, did you say that?

[bearhunter]

jim said:

Does joining the commonwealth place citizens of ireland as subjects of the Queen?

No. Technically there are no "subjects" any more anyway, only those poor deluded gobshites who place themselves in that subservient position.

[Wasp]

anfeardubh said:

I notice that you did not correct me on your view that republicans are unwelcome, did you say that?

No I didn't say that either. I have already posted that I know republicans online who do not support violence being used.