The handwringing about including Unionists and their symbols into a united Ireland! Does anyone need reminded there were unionists (with their symbols!) in the 26 counties? Do we need a chat about how identity is flexible, evolves and should be robust enough to be open to change?

The island of Ireland is not only a different place 100 years after partition but our identities are formed by more than being 'nationalists' or 'unionist'. We are increasingly multi-cultural societies that both desperately need to be more inclusive of ALL citizens.

A border poll is looking increasingly likely due to Brexit. The early days of 'we are all in it together' is giving way to the pragmatism of a WM govt that doesn't have any interest in NI. Any 'united' Ireland would need to reconceive how we present ourselves to the world.

it would be a completely missed opportunity to simply begrudgingly slot the 6 counties back into a state, which frankly, didn't always do a great job in looking after its own citizens in the intervening 100 years.

Irish identity has already gone through a number of changes in the 100 years of independence to include becoming more European, increasing engagement with diaspora and reacting to the abuses of the Catholic Church by becoming post-Catholic (at least in the workings of the state).

Brexit may force Ireland to re-situate itself in a number of ways but this is an opportunity that should not be approached with fear and trepidation. A country can be proud of its traditions while being aware of its failings, be aware of its past while looking to the future.

Part of that reckoning can include a process of truly decolonizing - recognising the role Britain has had in Ireland and the role Ireland has had in Britain - and more consciously engaging with the impact of that other global colonizer - the Catholic Church - in the state.

One place to start is considering how we decolonize the enduring leadership of the Catholic Church in our institutional life, be that primary and secondary education, hospitals, caring institutions. It is not that they cannot have a role but they should not have the leading role.

Another conversation that needs to be had is how we reconfigure Irish identity away from point scoring over perceived hierarchies of purity and depths of tradition into allowing for inclusion and focusing on current contributions to society.

The focus should not be on slotting Northern Unionists and their traditions and symbols into an unchanging Ireland, but on rethinking and redefining what it is to be Irish and creating the state that all of us want to be part of it.