This week the British government published its position paper ‘Northern Ireland and Ireland’ setting out its aims regarding relations with the Republic of Ireland post-Brexit, including the border controls regime and the Good Friday Agreement peace plan.
One of the key concerns over Brexit has been the potential re-introduction of a ‘hard border’ in Ireland between the north, which is part of the UK, and the south, which is governed from Dublin.
It is feared that such a move could re-ignite tensions between sectarian communities in Ulster and jeopardise the peace process.
At present an open borders region allowing free movement of goods and people, known as the Common Travel Area, exists between the UK and Ireland, as well as the Crown Dependencies – Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
An External Relations Department spokesman said that the preservation of the Common Travel Area is a key priority for the Island.
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