Brexit and the threat to Northern Ireland

The announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May on January 17th 2017 that Britain would leave the EU’s single market and customs union came as a profound shock to Irish nationalists in Northern Ireland. The prospect of a return of border controls on the island of Ireland is a bitter reminder that two fundamental pillars of the Good Friday Agreement are under threat: the significant EU funds spent in Northern Ireland; and ever closer economic and cultural integration with the Republic. Both the EU and the UK should come up with a damage limitation plan for Northern Ireland if they fail to agree quickly on a comprehensive trade agreement. One suggestion would be the creation of a specific regime for Irish and Northern Irish goods and services (including and beyond agri-food), essentially exempting them from tariffs and most customs checks if they remain on the island of Ireland

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Facing Brexit: Ireland, Northern Ireland and the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/facing-brexit-ireland-northern-ireland-and-the-eu/

ESO: Background information: Brexit Negotiations: The Irish border question http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-negotiations-the-irish-border-question/

ESO: Background information: Hard Borders of the Mind: Brexit, Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement http://www.europeansources.info/record/hard-borders-of-the-mind-brexit-northern-ireland-and-the-good-friday-agreement/

ESO: Background information: Ulster's Fight, Ulster's Rights? Brexit, Northern Ireland and the Threat to British-Irish Relations http://www.europeansources.info/record/ulsters-fight-ulsters-rights-brexit-northern-ireland-and-the-threat-to-british-irish-relations/

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