Northern Ireland should push for special EU status, says Martin McGuinness

Report of an interview with Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, October 2016.

The Sinn Féin leader said that Northern Ireland should push the EU to grant it special associate or even membership status to avoid the 'devastating' consequences of Brexit for Irish people.

Issues relating to borders, trade, peace and security were all serious.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: PM to visit Northern Ireland: 25 July 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/pm-to-visit-northern-ireland-25-july-2016/

Politico, 17.10.16: Martin McGuinness: Brexit a ‘disaster’ for Northern Ireland http://www.politico.eu/article/martin-mcguinness-brexit-a-disaster-for-northern-ireland-eu-referendum/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: David Davis visits Ireland to strengthen commercial ties ahead of EU exit negotiations http://www.europeansources.info/record/david-davis-visits-ireland-to-strengthen-commercial-ties-ahead-of-eu-exit-negotiations/

EUObserver, 17.10.16: British unity shaken by talk of 'hard Brexit' https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/135515

The Conversation, 17.10.16: Ireland: Brexit sparks diplomatic imagination over territorial borders http://theconversation.com/ireland-brexit-sparks-diplomatic-imagination-over-territorial-borders-67077

The Guardian / Irish Times: Tag: Ireland beyond Brexit https://www.theguardian.com/world/series/ireland-beyond-brexit

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