Farage: UK isolation from Europe would put Ireland in 'odd position'

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage MEP said today that Ireland could become isolated from the EU if British Prime Minister David Cameron does not change his position on the EU.

Mr Farage, a staunch Eurosceptic, said that Ireland's close relationship with Britain places it in a very difficult position.

"If Britain does move to an associate membership, or a Swiss-style bilateral, sectoral deal, the Ireland finds herself in a very odd position - stuck inside a currency that has done the Irish economy huge damage," he said.

"However difficult, and twisted, and confused, and often bad the histories between the two of us have been, basically, we’re pretty good allies these days.

"We have a heck of a lot of things in common, including we are a really important export market."