Calls for North to be made a ‘special case’ by EU after Brexit

Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, has called for Northern Ireland to be made a special case by the European Union in the wake of Brexit.

Speaking in Dublin, Mr Nesbitt said he feared Brexit would mean the return of a hard border between North and South, but hoped that would not be the case.

He said Belfast and Dublin are equally adamant that the Common Travel Area be allowed to continue, and he asked the EU to be sympathetic to their argument: “There is likely to be uncertainty for up to five to 10 years and the High Court adds to uncertainty.”

“Northern Ireland has this land border not just between it and the Republic but between the UK and the EU. The Common Travel Area needs to be protected and we are asking them to be sympathetic to our situation,” he added.

He said the Republic of Ireland could well be the North’s best friend and best advocate when it comes to the Brexit negotiations.

Mr Nesbitt is encouraging politicians in the Republic to be cautious of the language used when discussing Brexit.

His visit to the capital comes just over 24 hours after the British High Court ruled that prime minister Theresa May can’t trigger article 50 without consent of parliament.

Mrs May is set to appeal the decision.

Mr Nesbitt says now is not the time to talk about border polls.“We recognise that of the remaining 27 members of the European Union, the Republic is likely to be our best friend and our biggest advocate, that we do want to work with them.

“But we also have to respect the fact that we signed up to a UK referendum and the people of the UK said ‘we want to leave the European Union’.”

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil has announced it is to hold a special Brexit conference next Saturday in Dundalk.

Politicians and agricultural lobby leaders from both sides of the border will address the conference, which will be chaired by TD Declan Breathnach.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, said that in response to Brexit, the Government recognises that competition for new investment will be very strong and as such we have to continue to be very competitive and attractive for new business.

“In the recent budget we increased the resources to the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to put more boots on the ground in target markets to help Irish businesses export more and to attract in new investment,” he said.