Brian Hayes MEP: Ireland would need special deal from EU if Britain leaves

Ireland would need to negotiate a special deal with Brussels if Britain leaves the EU, Fine Gael MEP and director of elections Brian Hayes has told a hearing of the British House of Lords.

Britain leaving the EU would cause enormous disruption to British-Irish relations, but would also change Ireland’s relationship with Europe, he said.

A special committee of the Lords was in Brussels for a two-day visit, hearing evidence from a range of representatives from the European Commission and the parliament in the run-up to the in-out referendum in Britain.