Divided Kingdom Of Not So Great Britain And Possibly Northern Ireland

[Soph0571]

Heh

[irisblue]

1. Is the issue of the border between Ireland & N. Ireland a major problem for the EU?

Thanks

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Yes. Any infrastructure and checks become a target for terrorism and divide the people

who were getting more and more everyday friendly relations, travel and trading. If the UK leaves without a customs union or equivalent arrangement, but you don't put in place any border checks, smuggling becomes a huge problem.

[Soph0571]

3. Huge

It is the only land border between the EU and the UK. It will need customs borders - much in the way you have between Canada and the US. HOWEVER because of the good friday agreement a hard border is not possible, without breaching an international peace treaty.

[Denzil_DC]

4. One issue is that the paramilitaries on both sides have long used racketeering to raise funds,

along with other crimes.

The possibilities of turf wars to do with cross-border smuggling exploding can't be counted out, along with the other unwanted complications and impositions that people have gotten used to not facing every day.

What's a problem for EU member the Republic of Ireland is inevitably going to be a problem for the EU, and it's a prospect it takes very seriously. Contrast it with the lack of concern with the welfare of Northern Ireland from the UK government.