PM to visit Northern Ireland: 25 July 2016

United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May travelled to Belfast on the 25 July 2016 and emphasised her strong, personal commitment to serving all the people of the United Kingdom. This followed similar meetings in Edinburgh and Cardiff in the previous weeks.

The Prime Minister also affirmed that her government would continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive, all local political parties and the Irish government to ensure implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements, delivering stability in Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister made clear that the government would engage fully with the Northern Ireland Executive as it prepared the negotiations on the UK’s exit from the European Union, recognising the particular circumstances that affect Northern Ireland – including around the border with the Republic of Ireland.

First Minister, Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuiness wrote on the 10 August 2016 to Theresa May setting out the Executive’s initial assessment following the EU referendum result.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: British-Irish Council. Extraordinary Council Summit, Cardiff, 22 July 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/british-irish-council-extraordinary-council-summit-cardiff-22-july-2016/

ESO: Background information: Government response to calls for a border poll [The EU Referendum, 23 June 2016. The United Kingdom and the European Union. The results. Reaction in Northern Ireland] http://www.europeansources.info/record/government-response-to-calls-for-a-border-poll-the-eu-referendum-23-june-2016-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union-the-results-reaction-in-northern-ireland/

Politico, 25.07.16: Brexit’s most dangerous frontier http://www.politico.eu/article/brexits-most-dangerous-frontier-belfast-northern-ireland-eu-referendum-european-union/

BBC News, 25.07.16: Theresa May on NI post-Brexit: 'No-one wants return to borders of the past' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-36885303

UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister Office: Speech, 25.07.16: PM statement in Northern Ireland: 25 July 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-in-northern-ireland-25-july-2016

The Guardian, 25.07.16: Theresa May tries to ease 'hard border' fears on Northern Ireland visit https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/25/theresa-may-hard-border-fears-northern-ireland-visit-brexit

EurActiv, 25.07.16: May rules out Irish ‘hard border’, as Sturgeon mulls second independence poll http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/may-rules-out-irish-hard-border-as-sturgeon-mulls-second-independence-poll/

EUObserver, 25.07.16: No border controls in Northern Ireland, May pledges https://euobserver.com/political/134478

Euro|Topics: Debates, July 2016: Will Brexit divide the Irish once again? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/163312/will-brexit-divide-the-irish-once-again

EurActiv, 28.07.16: [Opinion]: Brexit: The Northern Ireland conundrum http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/opinion/brexit-the-northern-ireland-conundrum/

The Guardian, 10.08.16: Northern Ireland leaders set out Brexit demands to Theresa May https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/10/northern-ireland-leaders-set-out-brexit-demands-to-theresa-may

Northern Ireland: The Executive Office: News 10.08.16: Foster and McGuinness united in determination to achieve the best possible outcome for all our people https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/news/foster-and-mcguinness-united-determination-achieve-best-possible-outcome-all-our-people

In Facts, 12.08.16: N. Ireland first minister makes U-turn admitting Brexit risk https://infacts.org/n-ireland-first-minister-makes-u-turn-admitting-brexit-risk/

ESO: Background information: Chancellor Philip Hammond guarantees EU funding beyond date UK leaves the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/chancellor-philip-hammond-guarantees-eu-funding-beyond-date-uk-leaves-the-eu/

UK: GOV.UK: Department for Exiting the European Union: Authored Article, 01.09.16: David Davis Op-Ed: I will ensure that Northern Ireland's voice is heard in negotiations https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/david-davis-op-ed-i-will-ensure-that-northern-irelands-voice-is-heard

UK: Parliament: House of Commons: Committees: News, 08.09.16: Northern Ireland Secretary of State questioned on Brexit and other responsibilities http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/northern-ireland-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2015/work-of-sos-for-northern-ireland-ev-16-17/

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