ANY NEGATIVE IMPACT of Brexit on the UK economy will be “replicated, or even magnified, for the Irish economy”, according to a report by the UK’s House of Lords.
A report by the Lords European Union Committee published today looked specifically at UK-Irish relations in the context of Brexit.
It argued that the “unique nature” of the relationship between the UK and Ireland posed a danger that Ireland both north and south would suffer “collateral damage” from the Brexit vote.
The 78-page report argued for the continuation of the open land border between the UK and Ireland as well as the continued free of movement for citizens as part of the Common Travel Area.
It also wants people in Northern Ireland to retain the right to hold Irish citizenship and therefore be EU citizens.
As part of its recommendations, the Lords Committee wants the Irish and British governments to draft a bilateral agreement outlining their shared interests in Brexit negotiations.
It wants the EU to consent to a bilateral trade agreement between Ireland and the UK.
“The Committee concluded that any negative impact of Brexit on the UK economy is likely to be replicated, or even magnified, for the Irish economy,” the report states.
The Committee agreed that the unique nature of UK-Irish relations requires a unique solution, and calls on the UK and Irish Governments to negotiate a draft bilateral agreement, incorporating the views and interests of the Northern Ireland Executive, which would then need to be agreed by the EU as part of the final Brexit negotiations,
Speaking today on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, chair of the Lords Committee Tim Boswell said that “there’s a lot to talk about”
“If we don’t get on with it in good time, it may well not be sufficient attention in the final negotiations,” he said.
“What we’ve said very clearly in our report is that we don’t Ireland north or south to suffer collateral damage as a result of Britain’s decision in its referendum to leave the EU.”
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