MPs to discuss path to Irish border poll in Westminster debate
MPS will take part in a meeting in Westminster this month to discuss the best path to a poll on a united Ireland.
A debate will take place on the barriers facing the poll featuring SDLP MP Colum Eastwood, Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen and author Kevin Meagher, whose book A United Ireland tackles the issue.
The event, due to take place at Portcullis House on May 20, has been organised by the Irish Border Poll.com group.
'Politicians are used to being asked for soundbites or key messages but audiences who attend Irish Border Poll.com meetings are interested in meaningful and honest discussions about how we can advance the cause of a united Ireland,' Kevin Rooney, founder of Irish Border Poll.com who organised the debate, said.
'Those united in support of a border poll urgently need to work out how best to challenge the Irish government putting new hurdles in the road to a border,' he added.
'I'm excited to get deep into discussion about how our speakers are thinking about the way forward.'
The debate, titled How do we chart a path to a Border Poll and win it?', takes place on Tuesday May 20 at 7pm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Russia and Ukraine resume peace talks in Istanbul following major airbase attack
RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN officials will meet in Istanbul today to exchange proposals on how to end the war, just one day after Ukraine struck dozens of Russian strategic bombers at airbases deep inside Russian territory. Prompted by US President Donald Trump, Moscow and Kyiv have resumed direct negotiations for the first time since the early months of Russia's invasion. However, progress toward a peace agreement remains limited. Today's discussions follow one of Ukraine's most audacious and successful attacks on Russian soil. Ukraine said it damaged around 40 long-range bombers worth an estimated $7 billion at airbases located far from the front lines. Ukraine's security services said the 18-month operation involved smuggling drones into Russia, which were launched from inside the country. At last month's initial round of talks in Istanbul, the two sides agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange and shared outlines of their respective visions for a peace deal. The second round is set to begin at 1pm (10am Irish time) at the historic Ciragan Palace, an Ottoman-era mansion now operating as a luxury hotel on the Bosphorus. Russia says it will present a 'memorandum' outlining its terms but has refused to send its demands in advance, despite pressure from Ukraine. Despite this new round of diplomacy, the two sides remain far apart. Ukraine is demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and the return of abducted children, President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday. Advertisement Zelensky also called for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, 'The key issues can only be resolved by the leaders.' The Kremlin has rejected that idea, insisting a summit could only follow progress in lower-level negotiations. Russia continues to question Zelensky's legitimacy and has pushed for sweeping demands, including limits on Ukraine's military, a ban on NATO membership, and large territorial concessions – conditions Kyiv and Western allies have strongly rejected as imperialist. Tens of thousands have died since Russia's 2022 invasion. Large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine have been destroyed, and millions have been displaced. Negotiation figures Russia will be represented by Vladimir Medinsky, a close Putin ally and nationalist ideologue who led failed negotiations in 2022. Ukraine's delegation is headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, seen as pragmatic but currently facing domestic scrutiny over alleged misconduct. Diplomatic advisors from Germany, France, and the UK will be present in Istanbul to support Ukraine's delegation, a German government spokesperson said. Meanwhile, fighting continues on the ground. Russian forces are advancing in the northeastern Sumy region, where President Putin has ordered the creation of a 'buffer zone' along the border. Russia has demanded that Ukraine cut ties with Western military support and surrender territory. Ukraine, however, insists on holding its ground and says only a full ceasefire will allow space for longer-term peace talks. Though Kyiv acknowledges that some territory may only be regained through diplomacy, not war, it continues to demand strong Western security guarantees – such as NATO protection or foreign troops on the ground – measures Moscow has firmly rejected.
The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
Former senior Trump official says special relationship with Ireland won't stop president's trade war
Mairead Maguire IRELAND WILL LIKELY become collateral damage in Donald Trump's efforts to put America first – but it's nothing personal. That's according to Mick Mulvaney, a former Republican congressman who was Trump's acting chief of staff in his first term and who has a unique insight into how the president operates. He spoke to The Journal at the Global Economic Summit in Killarney, where tariffs and trade were headline issues. Trump, Mulvaney says, wants to make deals where everyone wins. But if that's not possible, he'll make sure America wins, even at the cost of special relationships. 'His first interest is to take care of Americans. It's not to say, 'You know what, I hate Ireland. Let's just stick it to them'. That's not how this works. 'Why are American businesses doing business in Ireland when they could be doing it in the United States? That's the perspective.' Mulvaney said, however, that there is a real connection with Ireland. 'It's familial, it's cultural. 'The Irish are so naturally good at diplomacy. It is one of your competitive advantages in the world marketplace. I don't understand why it's been struggling the last two years.' Mulvaney says 'dramatic missteps' made by the Irish government – particularly in relation to Palestine – have caused a 'blip' in the strong relationship. He said he understands the parallels between Ireland and Palestine, and the government's decision to join Spain and Norway in recognising it as a state, but he claims Washington was blindsided by it. 'What I don't understand is why nobody called us beforehand. Friends don't do that to each other. 'I found out about it in the press. I understand that my government found out about it in the press.' Then-Tánaiste Micheál Martin announced his intention for Ireland to recognise the state of Palestine weeks in advance, after months of discussions. The government is set to green light the Occupied Territories Bill – another move expected to ruffle Republican feathers. Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been revising the bill, making substantial amendments to the original text in order to bring it in line with the constitution and reduce the risk of a clash with EU law. As a result, the bill is expected to only cover goods and not services, such as products from online tech companies. Advertisement Even in its revised, stripped-back version, Mulvaney says the bill is unlikely to be well received in Washington. 'If you're pro-Palestinian, to half of my country you have to explain why that's not antisemitic.' On the trade war with Europe, Mulvaney's reading of the situation is that Republicans don't see the bloc as a viable ally in the long run. This, he says, is partly because the priorities for many younger European voters, such as climate change, conflict with Washington's priorities. Trump this week paused his threatened 50% tariffs on the European Union until 9 July, postponing them from the original 1 June deadline he had initially given. 'A weird time' Mulvaney quit his role in the White House after the Capitol riots of 6 January 2021. He was a Republican congressman in the House of Representatives before becoming director of the Office of Management and Budget and then acting chief of staff for Trump. He also sought out the role of Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, as he's 'been coming here for 20 years'. His ancestors are from Mayo. Mulvaney now regularly appears in American and international media as a commentator on politics and economics. He says it's a 'weird time' for his country, as significant figures in both the Republican and Democratic parties are aging. Joe Biden, who dropped out of the presidential race last year, recently announced a cancer diagnosis. As for Trump, the constitution prevents him for running for a third term. Mulvaney believes the 2028 presidential race will be of particular importance. 'It will represent generational change in both parties, and that will be fascinating to see.' Both parties, he says, have a good lineup of potential candidates. His ones to watch? Within the Democratic Party: Senator Cory Booker, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Among Republicans, he tips current vice president JD Vance to run. Florida governor Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are also ones to watch. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
5 hours ago
- The Journal
Three-quarters of Irish universities fall in global rankings - but TCD still best in the country
THREE-QUARTERS OF Irish universities have fallen in global rankings, but Trinity College Dublin is still rated the best in the country. The rankings are based on quality of education, employability, quality of faculty, and research. Ireland's overall slip in the Global 2000, which is released today, is mainly due to research performance amid intensified global competition from well-funded institutions, the Centre for World University Rankings said. University College Dublin (UCD) is the only Irish university that ranked higher on the list than it did last year. Here's how they're all faring: Trinity College Dublin – 259th (250th in 2024) University College Dublin – 299th (301st last year) University College Cork – 545th (542nd) University of Galway – 707th (668th) University of Limerick – 926th (925th) Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – 1013rd (no change) Dublin City University – 1151st (1134th) Maynooth University – 1323rd (1287th) Advertisement Harvard is the top university in the world for the fourteenth year in a row. However, other US institutions have declined in some areas amid slashed government funding and disputes over academic freedom and free speech. In the top ten, Harvard is followed by two other private US institutions, MIT and Stanford. The UK's Cambridge and Oxford are the world's highest-rated public universities, coming fourth and fifth. The rest of the global top ten are also private American universities: Princeton, Pennsylvania, Columbia, Yale, and Chicago. For the first time, China has surpassed the US as the country with the most universities in the Global 2000. While Oxford and Cambridge maintain their high rankings, the overall outlook for Britain is unfavourable, as 75% of universities have fallen down the list. The top ten universities in Europe this year are: Cambridge (UK, 4th), Oxford (UK, 5th), PSL (France, 19th), UCL (UK, 20th), Imperial College London (UK, 28th), Paris City University (France, 29th), ETH Zurich (Switzerland, 32nd), Paris Saclay (France, 34th), Institut Polytechnique de Paris (France, 35th), and Copenhagen (Denmark, 38th). Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
