Nowadays, it seems like any group that controls 10 acres or more of land wants to be their own, independent " People's Republic of Something" and I say let them. Business will be great for the flag, map, and globe makers. Of course, sooner or later, a People's Republic larger and stronger than the neighboring People's Republic will start casting glances at expansion. But that's life in the independent nation business.

If the popular majority of Ireland wants to be independent of England now would be the time to go for it. I don't know that England could afford to do much about it right now especially if Argentina went for the Falklands at the same time and Scotland started their independence rumblings.