"The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland"

[unicorn]

This morning on RTE Radio 1, Michael McDowell stated that the level of crime detection in Ireland compares favourably with the levels "across Europe, in the United Kingdom and in Northern Ireland"

For a party leader and Tanaiste to use the phrase "the United Kingdom AND Northern Ireland" is just not acceptable. He should either have said "...in the United Kingdom" OR "....in Great Britain and Northern Ireland" but not the phrase that he used.

The island across the Irish Sea, whether we like it or not, is Great Britain, NOT the UK! "The UK", a term which I personally believe should only be used when absolutely necessary, is actually the short version of "the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" so it's totally incorrect to EVER say "...in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, "the UK" has become a 'trendy' phrase nowadays and most teens and 20-somethings seem to think that it's our neighbouring island.

It isn't.

PS: This is not a Shinner's Party Political Broadcast. I wouldn't vote for a Shinner if the only other candidate was Worzel Gummidge!

[KeithM]

This morning on RTE Radio 1, Michael McDowell stated that the level of crime detection in Ireland compares favourably with the levels "across Europe, in the United Kingdom and in Northern Ireland"

For a party leader and Tanaiste to use the phrase "the United Kingdom AND Northern Ireland" is just not acceptable. He should either have said "...in the United Kingdom" OR "....in Great Britain and Northern Ireland" but not the phrase that he used.

The island across the Irish Sea, whether we like it or not, is Great Britain, NOT the UK! "The UK", a term which I personally believe should only be used when absolutely necessary, is actually the short version of "the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" so it's totally incorrect to EVER say "...in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, "the UK" has become a 'trendy' phrase nowadays and most teens and 20-somethings seem to think that it's our neighbouring island.

It isn't.

PS: This is not a Shinner's Party Political Broadcast. I wouldn't vote for a Shinner if the only other candidate was Worzel Gummidge!

I think you need to change your breakfast ceral or get up slightly earlier so you are fully functioning by the time Morning Ireland comes on. McDowell said "..United Kingdom, Northern Ireland etc." when comparing crime rates in different juristictions, there was no "and".

[FutureTaoiseach]

I think this terminology reflects the fact that for many Irish people, the legitimacy of the Union is questionable, and although we tolerate the Union until the consent principle leads to a United Ireland, we in reality see NI as part of our country, albeit separated for the time being.

[unicorn]

I think you need to change your breakfast ceral or get up slightly earlier so you are fully functioning by the time Morning Ireland comes on. McDowell said "..United Kingdom, Northern Ireland etc." when comparing crime rates in different juristictions, there was no "and".

Does the comma make a difference Keith? If he had covered Northern Ireland by saying 'United Kingdom', there was no need to add 'Northern Ireland' after the comma. Did he mean 'Great Britain... comma ... Northern Ireland' or 'Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland... comma... Northern Ireland'?

What exactly does the term 'United Kingdom' cover for Keith and the PDs? Is Northern Ireland included or not? A simple 'yes' or 'no' will suffice Keith, no need for any commas.

P.S: It's jurisDictions by the way if you want to be pedantic.

[KeithM]

I think you need to change your breakfast ceral or get up slightly earlier so you are fully functioning by the time Morning Ireland comes on. McDowell said "..United Kingdom, Northern Ireland etc." when comparing crime rates in different juristictions, there was no "and".

Does the comma make a difference Keith? If he had covered Northern Ireland by saying 'United Kingdom', there was no need to add 'Northern Ireland' after the comma. Did he mean 'Great Britain... comma ... Northern Ireland' or 'Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland... comma... Northern Ireland'?

What exactly does the term 'United Kingdom' cover for Keith and the PDs? Is Northern Ireland included or not? A simple 'yes' or 'no' will suffice Keith, no need for any commas.

P.S: It's jurisDictions by the way if you want to be pedantic.

How was comparing detection rates. It was quite legitimate to say what he said. The first comparison was with the U.K. as a whole, the second with Northern Ireland. I know it was a Monday morning and all that, but really, this kind of nonsense is unworthy of further comment.

[forest]

while i do feel you need to get more sleep
I agree with your point N.Ireland is in the UK and is part of the UK
The phase he used was a slip and technically wrong but no more wrong than when some one goes "In ireland and Europe" or "in Uk and Europe" which commentators and people say regularly but are equally as wrong as in "the UK and Northern Ireland"

Please note my previous related comments on this
http://www.politics.ie/viewtopic.php?t= ... c&start=24

[mjcoughlan]

This morning on RTE Radio 1, Michael McDowell stated that the level of crime detection in Ireland compares favourably with the levels "across Europe, in the United Kingdom and in Northern Ireland"

For a party leader and Tanaiste to use the phrase "the United Kingdom AND Northern Ireland" is just not acceptable. He should either have said "...in the United Kingdom" OR "....in Great Britain and Northern Ireland" but not the phrase that he used.

The island across the Irish Sea, whether we like it or not, is Great Britain, NOT the UK! "The UK", a term which I personally believe should only be used when absolutely necessary, is actually the short version of "the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" so it's totally incorrect to EVER say "...in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, "the UK" has become a 'trendy' phrase nowadays and most teens and 20-somethings seem to think that it's our neighbouring island.

It isn't.

PS: This is not a Shinner's Party Political Broadcast. I wouldn't vote for a Shinner if the only other candidate was Worzel Gummidge!

I think you have too much thinking time on your hands.

[jmcc]

PS: This is not a Shinner's Party Political Broadcast. I wouldn't vote for a Shinner if the only other candidate was Worzel Gummidge!

Quick MJ - get Worzel Gummidge on the phone and see if he would be interested in running as a celebrity candidate for the PDs.

Regards...jmcc

[Butchers_Apron]

Whatever about the north, lord between us if he should say "Britain" without the "Great". He could be talking about North-Western France or anything like