Agree with McGoH, though why the Scots would want to take on the burden I'm not sure. Perhaps some big EC development grants would sweeten the pill.

Also, Eire would lose out on the cross- border project grants, like the one that restored the Ballinamore and Ballyconnel canal, that had been out of use for about 130 years.

And a whole bunch of private fiefdoms would be upset.