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Implications of Brexit for North-South Relations in Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities

Explore the impacts of Brexit on North-South and cross-border relations in Ireland post-Brexit. Learn about the success of Good Friday Agreement, EU funding contributions, possible future cooperation models, trade implications, Irish government role, and potential shifts in alliances. Understand the complexities, uncertainties, and potentials that Brexit brings to the region.

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Implications of Brexit for North-South Relations in Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities

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  1. IMPLICATIONS OF BREXIT FOR NORTH-SOUTH AND CROSS-BORDER RELATIONS IN IRELAND SDLP, Cookstown, 22 September

  2. EU SUPPORT THROUGH PEACE/INTERREG • 'Strand Two' the quiet success story of Good Friday Agreement: North-South relations never better • EU funding through INTERREG and PEACE worth nearly €3.5 billion since 1990 • 1,300 businesses collaborating; over 100 public sector cooperation projects; 50,000 health users benefitting; Peace Bridge and Enterprise • Border region local authorities particular beneficiaries

  3. FUTURE POST-BREXIT PROSPECTS • Extreme uncertainty all round • Examples of cross-border cooperation between EU and non-EU countries, e.g. Norway-Sweden, France-Switzerland • Post-Brexit cross-border cooperation would have to be sanctioned by London • Or would need stand alone legal agreement • Is there the political will to do this in London?

  4. BUSINESS AND TRADE • Republic of Ireland more important to Northern exporters than vice-versa • Annual trade in goods €1.8 billion north to south; €1.2 billion south to north • Northern SMEs will be hit hardest • These are the firms that employ the largest proportion of Northern Ireland workforce

  5. POSITION OF IRISH GOVERNMENT • A real nightmare as Ireland's two closest political and trading partners divide • Peace Process, including N-S relations, the best argument for a special case for Northern Ireland • Confusion in Dublin: e.g. mishandling of all-island forum to discuss Brexit • Why has the Taoiseach been converted to a Border Poll?

  6. A SLIGHTLY POSITIVE NOTE • Northern Ireland going to be short of friends in Europe when UK exits EU • Only government that will speak up for NI's interests in Brussels (and London?) will be the Irish Government • That point getting through in Northern political (including unionist), civil service, business and farming circles • Significant increase in Dublin-bound traffic in coming months and years?

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