Study Shows High Costs of Potential Irish Reunification, While Social and Economic Challenges Mount
• Report estimates Irish reunification could cost £20.5 billion annually for 20 years to match north and south welfare and public sector pay • Ireland's economy relies heavily on multinationals and is vulnerable to companies leaving • Ireland faces spending pressures from immigrants occupying buildings and tents amid housing shortage • Irish voted down socially progressive but "idiotic" constitutional proposals showing gap between ordinary people and elite • Sinn Féin insists on Irish unity despite lack of majority support north or south; expects Britain to pay for reunification but Britain may object