It says right there, in the passport, " ... the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage."

[It is unclear what this means; the ability to drink several pints of Guinness or handle Semtex safely or what?]

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/do-we ... -1.2736386

If enough Unionists / Loyalists have Irish passports identifying them as Citizens of the Republic, the Irish Question will have been answered completely.

All Norn Iron will need then is to find a rich uncle prepared to fork out 12 billion pounds sterling a year and thus replace the English taxpayer.