Not quite as simple as it may seem. Just because NI has had a relative peace for over 20 years, does not mean that there aren't elements within the current generation of youngsters, who would be prepared to revisit the politics of their parents and grandparents. Particularly in the working class areas where unemployment and disadvantage is rife (for both Protestant and Catholic working class alike) and tensions simmer just under the surface.
And if backed into a corner, the Loyalist/Unionist paramilitaries, although smaller in number than their IRA (and splinter group) adversaries, had particularly blood thirsty, psychopathic, murderous element - perhaps even more so than their Republican adversaries (with the only exception being the absolute extreme IRA splinter groups).
Previously confidential documents have been released over the years that are based on intelligence British undercover agents gathered right up to the early 90s. Loyalist Paramilitaries were willing to go down the Serb type of route if the 6 Counties were ever given back.
We think of western Europe as being more civilised in comparison to the former Yugoslavia, and that this sort of thing doesn't happen in civilised countries. Well just remember, that Yugoslavia was thought of as quite different than most of the Communist bloc. Far closer to the same type of cultural values as western Europe, than the official Soviet bloc. In short, similarly 'civilised. And look how quickly an apparently 'civilised' society descended into absolute inhuman brutality given the right (or wrong, if we like) ingredients.
This is one area where the pro-Brexit crowd had absolutely no consideration of consequences. The fact that both the UK and Rep of Ire are members of the EU was a key (if not, THE key) ingredient to reaching a compromise arrangement that both sides seem willing to live with long term.
Some examples of concessions that this has allowed are: citizens of NI can freely hold both or either Irish or British citizenship, dependent on their choosing; they move freely and seamlessly over the border without even feeling like you're in a different country (some even live on one side, work on the other), freedom of movement of goods and services; some international sports teams are actually a mixed "all-Ireland" representative format (Rugby Union, European champs in some sports); those types of things. Nearly like two countries without being two countries for want of a better description.......
Without this element a truce never would have been reached. Unravel the EU arrangement you unravel the entire central pillar of the NI peace arrangement and we can easily be back to where we were in the 1970s (or even worse, depending on other ingredients).
