Ireland reunified – in its passports at least, which include a map of whole island

The new Irish passport includes verses in Ulster Scots as well as a map of the entire island for the first time.

Extracts from the Irish constitution stating the birthright of anyone born north or south of the border to be part of the Irish nation are also prominent throughout the redesign. Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore played down any significance in the inclusion of a map of the island. “It’s a topographical map... it is not intended to be a map of the administrative or political arrangements,” he said.

Mr Gilmore added that the Irish government had not consulted the Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers, about the revamp.