I live on the border in Inishowen, and for most of us the border is already meaningless. We live on one side, work on the other, and have family and friends spread across both. Daily life has long since moved past the division.

Economically, the systems are different, but the outcomes balance out. Healthcare in the Republic is inexpensive, with most services free or nearly so, though quality is uneven. Donegal’s hospitals, for example, are poor by wider standards—but Northern Ireland’s hospitals are no better. Housing is a crisis everywhere. If you compare Derry to Donegal, the differences are minor and sometimes tilt in Derry’s favor. Comparing Dublin to Belfast or the North as a whole is misleading, because Dublin is not the measure of Ireland.

From lived reality, unification has already happened in practice. People cross the border as if it isn’t there. What remains is for governments to align with what communities already do. Opposition in Belfast will exist, just as Dublin often clashes with the rest of the island, but that friction is part of Irish life itself. Erasing the border officially would mainly simplify governance and reduce redundant bureaucracy.

Ironically, the unionists who insisted that it was 'democratic' for Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK because it was the will of the majority of its people, are suddenly not so keen on 'democracy' if it turns out that a majority of the people of N Ireland decided to leave the UK. They only uphold 'democracy' as long as they are the majority

It looks like that Professor has a fully stocked wine rack in his office. That's what I call getting the work/life balance right !

The interviewee is a brilliant speaker. He explains beautifully.

One of the most sensible discussions of this topic that I've heard, in the last 30 or so years (and I've heard quite a few). Great stuff.

Ireland has sacrificed countless lives over hundreds of years on the idea of an independent Ireland, I think we re willing to sacrifice a few quid.

Interesting interview, highly appreciated. As a German, I personally would be in favour of a united Ireland and I do not think that this is an impossible, although not an easy task. I really like how professor Brendan O’Leary explained and elaborated on that very complex topic. Well done Sir!

This man if he wasn't a professor, I'd recommend him to be one. an extremely coherent and well made contribution.

A very well informed interview . Always love watching the views of those outside the island on this topic . Actually one of the most informed and articulate interviews I have watched to date

The gentleman speaking is very bright and informed . Thanks for the education from Australia 🇦🇺. Peace to all 🇮🇪 🇬🇧

Reunification would be a huge benefit to the UK ironically, the most public spending per head is in Northern Ireland. But it’s for the people of NI to decide 🤷

I think this interview show how complex seemingly simple things really is .....😅

Fantastic breakdown. Planning for the future and actually breaking down the numbers make everything less scary for unionists and Irish in the republic. I really hope Dublin sets up a department (should have done this years ago) focused solely on reunification with the best experts to get this done.

Funnily enough I was at a funeral yesterday (in England) and it was ironically a Roman Catholic funeral and I was chatting to a bloke from the Republic of Ireland and we came on to this subject and he wasn’t all that in favour of a united Ireland, for lots of complex reasons and it was interesting to have an in depth intelligent conversation about how complicated it is even from an Irish perspective.

Thanks a lot - great interview to better understand as a German tourist what we saw in Belfast regarding the troubles. Als to understand what peaceful options are possible for both sides

Thank you for offering such an informative conversation.

Thank you so much for such an insight to the possibilities to unification. Well-thought out and deeply explained

Let's remember there are NINE counties in Ulster.

23:00 a large amount of money is spent from the defence budget in Northern Ireland, in regards to companies like Thales having their main factories for STA systems being developed, tested and produced there. Areas like this would lose out due to unification causing large amount of money and jobs to be lost for local people which would not be picked up by a country like Ireland who has very low investment in local procurement in Defence (buys majority of systems from other alleged nations).

If all those involved in this issue are as well informed and articulate as Brendan O'Murphy, then I see no problems, he has a clear and balanced view of all the factors involved and I am much impressed.