A complex problem for sure. You mention the Brits might want to be relieved of the financial burden, but who says the Irish Free State wants it?

The border is open, people drive back and forth, you never even know you've crossed countries.

Your point that the church's grip has lessen on the Free State is a really good point. Not sure my relatives would buy into the Papist's Teeth have been pulled.

One just does not jettison part of ones country, and Ulster is part of the UK. If NI leaves the UK, would that more greatly embolden Scotland to leave? I mean, Scotland's pretty embolden right now.

It may be inevitable, my Aunts and Uncles in Ulster said decades ago, they were being out bred.