John Taylor, a former Unionist MP who now goes by the title Lord Kilclooney, has suggested that Donegal would be better off if it were to join the United Kingdom.
Speaking to Ocean FM today, the Lord Kilclooney said: “It would benefit from the block grant that we already enjoy in Northern Ireland, £10 billion a year we get.”
“It really is the hinterland of Northern Ireland and it would be great to have it back in with us.”
“The history of Donegal since 1921 is desperate. I’ve seen the population in Donegal dwindle. It’s half what it was at the time of partition. Many have moved to the United Kingdom, to the north-west or to Glasgow. I think Dublin ignores Donegal.”
According to Census data, the population Donegal has increased in the last 10 years, from 147,264 to 161,137.
Asked if he thought Donegal would be better off as part of the UK, Lord Kilclooney said “Oh, I’m certain it would.”
You can listen to a snippet from the segment here.
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