For and Against a United Ireland

by Fintan O'Toole, Sam McBride

The prospect of Irish unification is now stronger than at any point since partition in 1921. Voters on both sides of the Irish border may soon have to confront for themselves what the answer to a referendum question would mean - for themselves, for their neighbours, and for their society.

Journalists Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride examine the strongest arguments for and against a united Ireland. What do the words 'united Ireland' even mean? Would it be better for Northern Ireland? Would it improve lives in the Republic of Ireland? And could it be brought about without bloodshed?

O'Toole and McBride each argue the case for and against unity, questioning received wisdom and bringing fresh thinking to one of Ireland's most intractable questions.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Irish Literature

Paperback

First published October 20, 2025

About the author

Fintan O'Toole is a columnist, assistant editor and drama critic for The Irish Times. O'Toole was born in Dublin and was partly educated at University College Dublin. He has written for the Irish Times since 1988 and was drama critic for the New York Daily News from 1997 to 2001. He is a literary critic, historical writer and political commentator, with generally left-wing views. He was and continues to be a strong critic of corruption in Irish politics, in both the Haughey era and continuing to the present.

O'Toole has criticised what he sees as negative attitudes towards immigration in Ireland, the state of Ireland's public services, growing inequality during Ireland's economic boom, the Iraq War and the American military's use of Shannon Airport, among many other issues. In 2006, he spent six months in China reporting for The Irish Times. In his weekly columns in The Irish Times, O'Toole opposed the IRA's campaign during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fintan_O...

Reviews

[Peter McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and punchy. McBride’s chapters are better than O’Toole’s. The elephant in the room, the thing I kept thinking about, was Fergus’ question: ‘Is Northern Ireland a failed state?’ McBride especially knows more than most the dysfunction of our institutions, but there was little focus on institutional reform either in the Union or in a new Republic: lots on schools, healthcare, pensions, taxation and fiscal policy; but political and civil service reform, representation, ministerial power, etc. are mostly just referred to quickly, and usually under the rubric of a unitary vs devolved United Ireland. This is understandable based on the topics that will probably be on most swing voters’ minds in a future border poll. But without solid political institutions, even the best planning in the world won’t implement the kind of pension / health / tax / school systems that voters want. This might be thought to push towards change, and thus a United Ireland, but I’m increasingly unsure of that logic. Anyway: these kinds of questions clearly informed the writing of the book, especially McBride’s chapters, but don’t surface often enough.

[Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In case nobody knows: there's a lot to discuss here. And while at times the book can be a little too academic, it's a worthwhile read for both decideds and undecideds

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

While some of the arguements are underdeveloped and lack the necessary depth and complexity, this is still a thoughtful and serious attempt to engage with the issues of a future border poll and Irish unity. O'Toole and McBride's attention is rightfully (and refreshingly for the issue) focused on practical concerns - education, health, economics, social cohesion, the spector of violence, etc... - instead of the well wore platitudes and appeals to emotion that so often define this debate in both unionist and nationalist camps respectively. This focus coupled with the structure (which allows for mature and balanced weighing of the opportunities and obstacles, pitfalls and promises of unification, as it shows that there are reasonable and deeply compelling arguements from both positions) give the book a refreshingly insightful edge.

[Jason Blean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat pioneering work, analysing the real issues that would impact on an Irish Border Poll such as health, education, the economy, cost of living and organisational changes that might occur. To my knowledge it's the first serious attempt to discuss all of these issues in one book, with the economy being the focus of most of the work hitherto. The authors deserve credit for trying to take a balanced, non-idealogue-style approach to the weighty topic, and it seems unique in that each author comes from either side of the border. Both authors are accomplished journalists and authors in their own right, but as well as being from different sides of the border and different religions, they are also from different generations with very different experiences of The Troubles. The analysis makes many valid points including that both options involve risk, and, strikingly, that life expectancy being 2 years greater south of the border without the NHS, what real difference does it make to NI to have an NHS if it is ineffective at delivery? Sinn Féin's abdication of taking any position on these main bread-and-butter issues, passing them off to forums, etc. is exposed, and the prospect of reactionary political violence explored. A serious discussion on relevant issues.

[Rob Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Better the devil you know than the devil you don't"
Interesting, high level overview of both sides of the most important decision this island has faced in over 100 years. The Irish government's lack of planning for the potential integration of 2m people is extremely worrying. The book lays out clearly the nuanced differences of North and South in 2025 and the motivations of each side of the border for a Yes/No vote.

Let's see how the next few years play out

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came away with a much better understanding of the complexities of a united Ireland but also with feeling that everything is going to be okay. A really important book to introduce the topic which is right around the corner.

[Mairead Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really easy to read, informative and well written. I finished this book feeling conflicted as to what the path forward should be which is exactly what a book like this should achieve in a reader.

[Annette Poro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading