*Northern Ireland

How would this resolve if Northern Ireland left the UK and joined the Republic of Ireland without ever being independent?

@JoshuaWilkes If Northern Ireland joins the Republic of Ireland, it might have the same status it had with the UK. My question really speaks of an independent country, a country which manages to detach itself from the country to which it belonged.

@HermaeusMora Yes, I agree with this interpretation. That's why I thought the clarification necessary :D