Updated 6.50pm
IF SCOTLAND SAYS yes to independence, it would introduce an element of instability in Northern Ireland, a risk assessment for Ireland says.
The government has been staying silent on the issue, but the assessment does give some insight into the issue.
Cabinet meeting
On the issue of Scottish independence, a spokesperson said there was no discussion of the referendum by ministers at today’s Cabinet meeting:
The issue of Scottish independence is entirely a matter for the Scottish People.
The Government has been careful to avoid any public pronouncements on the issue of the Scottish independence referendum, but it is touched on in the draft assessment.
The National Risk Assessment was launched in April and its advice included some input on what could happen in the case of Scottish independence.
The assessment’s purpose is to identify the risks – both financial and non-financial – which Ireland faces, “and therefore ensure appropriate prevention and mitigation measures are introduced”.
The document says that if the UK leaves the European Union (what’s called the ‘Brexit’), it would mean a risk for Anglo-Irish relations.
Within the assessment, under the Geo-Political Risks section, it mentions: “Uncertainty over UK’s relationship with the EU and outcome of Scottish Referendum”.
It states:
The British Prime Minister has promised a referendum on British membership of the European Union in 2017 if the Conservative Party wins a majority at the next general election in 2015. If the so-called ‘Brexit’ option is taken, it could introduce profound uncertainty into Anglo-Irish relations. Similarly, the outcome of the Scottish referendum on independence could introduce an element of instability into Northern Ireland.
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