Some
people feel very strongly about their national identity, that is,
whether they feel British or Irish or something else. Other people
say that their national identity is not important to them. How important
is your national identity to you?
NB: Square brackets indicate where the text was edited.
I think that knowing your own identity is very important, and always
respecting your families' decisions on anything.
[I] feel very strongly about my country and its history, it's not
Protestants I disagree with but loyalists. It shouldn't be a question
of would [Northern Ireland] work but would a united Ireland work.
The only way [the Northern Ireland conflict] can be solved is if
Western [sic!] counties [would] be given to the Republic of Ireland.
I hope that after a few generations all of the sectarianism within
n. Ireland will have disappeared. I believe that there should only
be one Ireland, not north and south. If people cannot learn to live
peacefully with one another then this will never happen. In order
for the people of N. Ireland to live in harmony with one another all
the social barriers need to be removed. I think people should be allowed
to be of any religion and that they should not be constantly asked
their religion.
Community relations have improved slightly. I believe that in 5 years
time or less there will be a united Ireland which to me is a great
thing, it would be a lot better for all religions to mix.
Community relations will only improve when all Roman Catholics are
removed from Northern Ireland.
[I] think that Catholics should realise that by living in N. Ireland
they are under British rule and not Irish. […] Catholics in England
are able to recognise [this] and do not put up republican flags. […]
If they [Catholics in Northern Ireland] like Irish rules then why
don't they live there [in the Irish Republic]. I think as terrorism
starts growing that problems will get worse in this country.
I don't care what religion people are as long as I can get on with
the person. The Union Jack should be up all year round but the tricolour
should stay in the south. They shouldn't stop the bands marching on
the 12th. […]
If there were more opportunities for young people to mix, then they
would get to realise that everyone is the same and would not care
about each other's community background.
