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I must be the only Irish columnist who has surprisingly never written anything about Brexit – until now.

I doubt anybody was shocked to learn a majority of Scots have done a dramatic volte-face and now support independence, according to a new poll.

They also want a new referendum in two years’ time in a desperate attempt to remain in the EU, which will be the death knell of the UK.

I’m thinking outside the box here but it might be for the best if Northern Ireland seriously considers following suit.

I’m surprised the idea of a referendum for an independent six counties state hasn’t been mooted yet.

(Image: AFP PHOTO / Paul FAITHPAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images)

Many pundits believe Brexit will inevitably lead to a united Ireland but there’s a significant percentage on both sides of the border – myself included – who don’t want reunification.

There would need to be some serious concessions if unionists were to agree to a referendum on it, which is the elephant in the room that needs addressing.

We’d need to accept unionists would demand at the very least a new constitution and maybe even a new flag or a new national anthem – like with Ireland’s Call.

They could even seek a new name for a united Ireland and ask us to rejoin the Commonwealth as a symbolic gesture.

They wouldn’t get all their preconditions but would secure enough for it to be truly a new Ireland.

I don’t think there is a big enough appetite for such radical changes in either the Republic or the North.

Apart from the fact we can’t afford it, I’m also against reunification because I feel our nation has much less in common with the North than we like to pretend.

(Image: PA)

They’ve their own distinct culture and take all their news from the British media and wouldn’t bother with RTE.

As a result, they haven’t a clue what’s going on in the South, as they like to call “our” country, and visa versa with people here.

Many of them couldn’t even tell you the difference between Sean-nós or a céilí.

The truth is they’ve much more in common with the Scots and even English.

Prior to Brexit, I was taken aback by the many nationalists I’d met abroad who supposedly felt strongly about their Irishness but still had British passports instead – just because it’s cheaper! So much for true patriotism!

Everybody needs to accept the fact we are two very different countries.

Regardless of what the Good Friday Agreement says, I don’t believe anybody is entitled to describe themselves as an Irish citizen unless they were born in the Republic or have parents from here.

(Image: Getty)

The most harmonious solution would be a Celtic nations pact with all four nations – Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – similar to the Scandinavians with their Nordic Council. You could describe their set-up in layman’s terms as a mini-EU with its inter-parliamentary co-operation between Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Greeland and other smaller islands.

There would no doubt be countless benefits if we replicated their model, such as with trade agreements and unrestricted borders, which would solve the Irish backstop.

And it would collectively make us a much stronger power within the EU too.

I know there might be a knee-jerk reaction to the idea, but it makes sense for the Celtic nations to swim off together into the sunset – while Boris Johnson’s sinks England with Brexit.