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Brexit is still a big and topical debate which has many different issues surrounding it. One which is becoming a big issue which can’t seem to get resolved is the border issue between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It has become one of the toughest and most controversial questions in the negotiation process of Brexit.
Why is it so difficult to resolve?
The Republic of Ireland will not accept an open border with Northern Ireland if that means that they will have to have a border policy between themselves and the rest of the EU.
Yet also, Northern Ireland and the UK are not accepting a border between themselves. As they are a single country, and this is not what the leaving of the EU was about.
However, it is difficult to put a ‘hard’ border in place between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. As they are committed to peace between the two countries.
The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have a peaceful process in place. As 30% of Northern Ireland exports go to the Republic of Ireland, showing the peaceful process between the two countries.
Possible solutions
There are 4 possible solutions to this problem, however some will never happen, leaving not many options left. These possible solutions are;
- The Republic of Ireland leaves the EU and re-joins the UK, yet this is not going to happen.
- Northern Ireland leaves the UK and re-joins the Republic of Ireland. Again this will not happen.
- A hard boarder is to be put into place between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, this has been rejected from both sides.
Therefore, this leaves one option;
- Squaring the circle. Over the next coming months and years of negotiations. A compromise position including technology, special exemptions and ‘regulatory alignment’ is hammered out. Meaning this will keep the border invisible. Yet still securing the sanctity of the single market and the unity of the UK.
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