The discussion of Harland and Wolff turns to the economics of possible Irish unification. The argument is that liabilities allocated to Northern Ireland would form part of a territorial transfer and discourage the Irish government from proceeding before substantial debt reduction. A tentatively recalled Franco-Prussian War example illustrates the idea of financial obligations following transferred territory. The suggested timescale of roughly 50 to 60 years is a personal assessment based on conversations with people involved in the economics on both sides. It is not an agreed forecast or a statement of government policy.
Notable Point · 52:07-53:54
Public debt in a possible Irish unification
An assessment of possible Irish unification links its timing to public debt, using a tentatively recalled Franco-Prussian example.