We are becoming a better country but obviously there is still perpetuated stereotypes and discriminative values passed down through families. I come from a deprived area which is very much full of homophobia, and sectarianism 'just 'cause' is the reasoning. Why do you hate Catholics? 'we just do?' - It's a real sheep mentality even in terms of how they dress and that.
But yeah there's still discrimination, still sectarian attacks, a few months before I was born there was a bombing on my highstreet (the terrorist who orchestrated it lived not too far from us), a few years ago there was a man shot on that highstreet - and secularism in the vein of France though it'd be incredibly hard to achieve for somewhere where Religion has been such a heartpoint issue, would have various benefits like cutting down on perpetuation of sectarianism in schools for example, which would help to stop it being passed on, if religious ornaments were banned - also here when you apply for jobs you are still asked "Catholic? Protestant? etc" and my French teacher was just gobsmacked at that, the way France do it is the Government isn't allowed to conduct surveys/polls/information to do with religion at all.
Personally I just think it'd help a country that is slowly moving out of a nasty patch for everyone, run much smoother and perhaps contribute longterm to mentality of the people, cus Religion is still a real sensitive topic. There are still walls up to seperate the people of different religious views. The people still seem to think the other ones are ruthless.
It's really sensitive even what you term a person from Northern Ireland because of the connotations, British or Irish (or Northern Irish) - or even if you say 'Belfast, Ireland' it still provokes aggravation, even in me for example because it either displays Nationalism (which I have no problem with though I am in favour of Unionism), or Ignorance. I mean I can't support anyone saying Ireland and Northern Ireland are the same thing because well, 'Northern Ireland' doesn't really mean 'The North of Ireland' as many people think it does it more refers to the seperate country created - and you need to ask yourself, can you really make a claim to call them the same when one is a Republic, and one is a Monarchy, and one uses Euro, and one uses Pounds?
Like I say I really doubt we would be able to keep our UK links so it's just wishful thinking. But yeah we are shaking off our bad image with stuff like EMA awards and Game of Thrones. Just thought I'd offer Monkey King the view of a native because his history and knowledge impressed me, especially for being so far away.