Two states could remain in ‘United Ireland’

In relation to Martin McGuinness’s suggestion that the people of the North should vote on the question of an United Ireland by 2016 (Irish Examiner, Jan 30) the necessary constitutional changes resulting from a yes vote need not be that profound.

The long-mooted confederal solution would mean that while from the outside “Ireland”, like Belgium, would appear to be one polity, two functioning states would remain.

Austria-Hungary had only four federal departments: army, navy, foreign policy and customs.