How will Brexit affect Eire and Northern Ireland?
Sinn Fein calls for a referendum on reuniting Ireland – but Theresa Villiers quashes the idea
"Short of the outbreak of war," it is hard to imagine anything worse for Ireland than the news that the UK is to leave the EU, says the Irish Times.
So how will Brexit affect Ireland – and the only part of the UK to share a land border with an EU country, Northern Ireland?
How did Northern Ireland vote?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Like the population of Scotland, people in Northern Ireland chose to stay within the UK. Some 55.8 per cent voted Remain, slightly less than the 62 per cent of Scots. Wales joined England in voting Leave.
Could Northern Ireland leave the UK?
First Minister Arlene Foster, who campaigned to leave the EU, insisted this morning that the country would stay within the UK, despite the Brexit result. Howevr, her deputy, Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein, called for a national referendum on reunification.
Might there be a 'border poll'?
The Good Friday Agreement provides for the holding of a referendum to determine whether the people of Northern Ireland want to remain part of the UK or join the Republic of Ireland. But Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the referendum could only happen if Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers felt there had been a "seismic shift in public opinion", reports UTV.
Villiers poured cold water on Sinn Fein's challenge, saying there is "no reason to believe there would be a majority support for a united Ireland".
How will Brexit affect peace?
"Central to the Northern Ireland peace settlement was a slow but inexorable process of making the border less important," says the Irish Times. "Now it is about to get more important."
The paper says a "delicate" resetting of the relationship between Ireland, Britain and Northern Ireland will be needed to ensure Brexit does not threaten the peace process.
South of the border, "it is hard to see how the ultimate effects will be anything other than overwhelmingly negative", it adds.
What about trade?
Ireland's two biggest political and trading partners, the EU and the UK, are "sundered in a manner as yet unknowable", says the Irish Times. Whatever happens, for the republic, the immediate future will be a "period of difficulty and uncertainty unprecedented in the last 50 years" and "more destabilising" than the Troubles, it adds.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Ireland one of the most pro-Palestinian countries?
Today's Big Question The country has shown some of the highest support for Palestinians among white-majority nations
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How Finland's tightening presidential race could affect future of Europe
Under the radar Country has key geostrategic position along Nato's longest border with an increasingly belligerent Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published