A British departure from the EU would have major consequences for Ireland

The UK’s referendum on EU membership in June 2016 will be keenly observed by Irish citizens, given the close ties between the two countries. Paul Gillespie writes that a Brexit could be highly disruptive for Ireland, and would likely have a particularly large impact in Northern Ireland, where the issue of Irish unity could be pushed on to the public agenda.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Sinn Féin calls for vote on Irish reunification if UK backs Brexit http://www.europeansources.info/record/sinn-fein-calls-for-vote-on-irish-reunification-if-uk-backs-brexit/

ESO: Background information: PM: Northern Ireland is better off in a reformed EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-pm-northern-ireland-is-better-off-in-a-reformed-eu/

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: Kenny: Ireland will stay in EU no matter what http://www.europeansources.info/record/kenny-ireland-will-stay-in-eu-no-matter-what/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 21.10.15: Ireland: Brexit is a matter of significant and growing concern in Ireland http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2015/10/21/european-views-on-the-uks-renegotiation-ireland-portugal-austria-and-croatia/#One

ESO: Background information: UK/EU Future relationship: Implications for Ireland, June 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-eu-future-relationship-implications-for-ireland-june-2015/

IIEA: Blog: Tag: Brexit http://www.iiea.com/blogosphere?selectedTag=brexit

Twitter: Irish4Europe https://twitter.com/irish4europe

Website: Irish4Europe http://irishforeurope.org/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 25.05.16: Daniel Mulhall, Irish Ambassador: Why I hope the UK will remain in the European Union http://bit.ly/22o7HPw

The Guardian, 09.06.16: Tony Blair and John Major: Brexit would close Irish border http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/09/tony-blair-and-john-major-brexit-would-close-irish-border

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