[Stu]

It's a question that's impossible to fathom. You cannot possibly begin to try and answer it given so many other factors would have to be taken into account with regard to how it would have affected world history and economics. What you are saying is fucking retarded. I suppose that's what I'm getting at. And I'm certainly no expert on the matter. Difference is I don't pretend to be. You made your original post not out of some intensive economic probing on your part ... but because your just a bit ignorant and can't appreciate Ireland because it doesn't get enough sunlight to produce quality Reality TV ... or we have too many foxes ... or something else daft like that.

You might want to look up Ireland's record during British rule though. We didn't exactly flourish.