Sounds like a good idea. Although I think that when the time comes to vote on it, it will be economic more than political isues that drives the voting. The proposed enlargement of the EU will reduce the amount of funding from Brussels as money will be voted to new member states. Under the terms of the Treaty of Rome, the Republic's claim to Northern Ireland is illegal and a referendum, irrespective of the outcome, would allow that anomaly to be resolved.

Should the proposed referendum include the UK, as suggested above, I think that would guarantee a united Ireland. In general people living on the mainland have never given two hoots and this could be viewed as one way of conveniently getting rid of the problem.

The governments involved would have to fall in with the result - it would be too high profile for them to ignore. I have a sneaking feeling that a vote for a united Ireland would be welcomed in Westminster and viewed with apprehension in Dublin.

Hope it goes ahead - good luck to them.