Beachcomber,

In response to some of the points made:

Ireland was "of no use to Britain since day one" and I don't really believe that they did go to any great extremes to hold onto it - they did what they had to do to prevent it being used as a base from which attacks could be launched at Wales, England or Scotland.

As to the exploitation of the islands natural resources by the British Government (i.e. post 1707 or 1801). Ireland's natural resources were fairly minimal in extent, simply not worth transporting them to fuel the Industrial Revolution taking place on the mainlands of the British Isles. The cities and industrial centres that sprang up in England, Scotland and Wales were located close to the natural resources required to drive them - little requirement for imports.

Ireland's agricultural produce was regulated purely for the benefit of the British market, no more so than that of England, Scotland and Wales, not surprising as at the time Ireland was part of the UK. Overall Ireland actually profitted from it.

Who provided the investment for the textile industry which was, if memory serves me correct, mainly located in the North and initially relied on water for power (As in the borders of Scotland). It was of very fine quality (Belfast Linnen), but due to technological improvements the mills of Lanarkshire in Scotland and of Lancashire in England caught up and could produce the same quality of cloth cheaper - result decline in the Ulster textile industry - commercial competition, not Government design.

Totally understandable for the Irish to rebel during time of war, the ensuing reaction is equally understandable, but for some reason the Irish believe that the Government should have reacted differently. Personally I believe that the guys in the GPO should have been given a slap on the wrist, told not be such naughty boys and then sent home. Why? because Pearce and co had absolutely no support amongst the population. He led the Easter Week Rising knowing damn well it was going to fail. Had the Government had the courage to treat them like errant children they would have been made a laughingstock the length and breadth of Ireland.

The principal reason that the greater part of the island was backward was because of the stance taken on education by the Roman Catholic clergy of Ireland. The educational institutions set up by the British in Ireland are amongst the best in Europe - that was not all done post-1921. The standard of education in Northern Ireland is rated as being the best in the UK.

Why was the small North East of the island "industrial and highly competitive" because businessmen from Scotland and the North of England invested in it - not the British Government.

Obviously you still begrudge us the helping hand that we received through EU membership - not in the least - just don't dress up the reasons for Eire's current prosperity and growth on being anything other than situation and circumstance fuelled by EU hand-outs.

It was very true that by 1994 both sides had fought to a stand-still, the only difference was that the British Government could afford to maintain that stand-still - the PIRA could not, they were going nowhere and the population were starting to catch on.

It was true that 9/11 in the US brought about a seachange in thinking among many strands of violence all over the world, not everywhere (RIRA, CIRA, Loyalist Groups), but definitely with regard to the PIRA.

Why not give credit to those who finally came to a change in thinking and strategies? I do.

Under the current circumstances prevailing world wide the PIRA would find it extremely difficult to resume the armed struggle. I suppose they could appeal to FARC but that would only piss the US Authorities off even more.

Would you bet that protection would be provided by the PSNI if armed thugs attack nationalist homes, yes I would, ask the McCartney sisters. Can Nationalists be blamed for feeling a little worried, in certain areas, just now? Not at all, you have members of the PIRA wandering around believing that they are wholely above the law in those Nationalist areas, they can kill and maim whoever at will. Until the population start to back the PSNI that is what they are doomed to.