The problems we're talking about don't have anything to do with the historical disaster of being colonised by an unfriendly neighbour.

If you're British, don't attack Ireland's 12.5% corporate tax rate. This rate, which compensates for the fact that Ireland is surrounded by sea dividing it from its two main markets, allows the country to be an attractive host to multinationals.

If the tax rate were axed, those multinationals would very probably leave; they'd quite possibly leave not just Ireland but Europe.

And the effect on Britain of the utter impoverishment of its largest customer would not be pretty.

If Ireland becomes poor, Britain loses its largest customer. Remember that above all. You may think you're cutting Ireland's throat, but the knife will travel on to stab your own heart.