Why are the politicians letting people from southern ireland come up and use our free health care!?

There are far more people from the North using the resources in the South than the other way around. The North is heavily subsidised by the Republic, England and the EU and I'd recommend you don't rock the boat.

Southern Ireland? Doesn't exist, pet. You may as well get used to us using your facilities. When times were better for us, you weren't bothered about using what we had, and we were perfectly happy to share. I'm actually very surprised at this. Every person I've ever met from Northern Ireland has been generous to a fault. You are the exception to the rule.

Why would anyone from the Republic bother going to a British school in the North when the Irish education system is so much better? Lol Obviously they aren't teaching you that without the Republic, the Norths balance of payments would be off by, well, quite a lot love. And your health care isn't free.. It's one that you pay for through taxes and are then provided sub-standard care for.

That would be your "free" health care paid for by the English taxpayer, would it? You'd better get used to the "southern Irish" (or, as the ENTIRE world calls them, "the Irish"). They're the only friends you have. They buy half of EVERYTHING produced in Northern Ireland (from what little IS actually produced there; most of you leech off largesse of the Brits), and the Irish State itself is the single largest "foreign investor" in the North. They even bought the whole electrical grid in the North just before Christmas because you guys can't afford to keep it up and running. (And given the fact that Northern Ireland couldn't even afford to supply water to half of Belfast last winter, perhaps you should hope they buy 'Northern Ireland Water' too :) If it wasn't for the "southern Irish", as you call them, YOU would be sunk... because God knowns the Brits are sick to death of subsidising you for everything. What you going to do when they finally pull the plug on you? You'll be begging for those dastardly "Southern Irish" to come back. Luckily for you, they will: Dublin will be the capital of a united Ireland is less than 50 years. Probably MUCH less. It's going to happen whether you like it or not. If you're an 'aul fella, you might not be around to see it, but you can be thankful that your kids will.

What about some people from the north coming down to the republic to collect their dole money(Which is more than the UK gives out)

But it isn't free. If you go to the hospital you have to give your personal details before you get seen, and if someone is from ROI then the Irish Govt gets billed for it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it works some way like that. If you think that the British taxpayer is forking out for people popping across the border to use the facilities here then you are very wrong. Also, I have lived here (Belfast) all my life and have never seen 'hundreds of southerners' using the hospitals and doctors. In fact, I've never seen a 'southerner' in a hospital or doctors surgery up here. And while I don't agree with some things 'Joe' has written, he makes a fair point when he mentions the English taxpayer. The English and Scottish taxpayers are pretty much keeping Northern Ireland afloat, so don't you get on your high horse saying 'our' this and 'our' that when we are not generating all these things to begin with. Last but not least, with your poor spelling and grammar, you are a very poor advert for the Northern Irish education system. I have been through the Northern Irish Grammar school system and know that it does work. Obviously you did not attend one.

Nobody here goes up to use the Health care services or to go to schools up there..why would we, .you are nothing more than a troll trying to stir up trouble yet again on the Irish travel section...For someone who seems to hate Irish people you certainly spend enough time on here asking your trolling questions....incase you forgot you are still on the Island that is called Ireland.........

When I was treated in Altnagelvin, The HSE paid the NHS to see me, so get your facts right. There are also cross-border arrangements. I live in RoI but my nearest Casualty unit is in NI. If I had a real emergency like a heart attack I'd be taken to the nearest, just likesome in NI would be taken to A&E in the RoI if it were closer.

Thanks for telling us, from now on Im heading up north for all my free health care, hell as far as im concerned britain owes us!! Anyway why is britain paying for your free health care, can't northern ireland pay for its own?