How will Brexit affect Eire and Northern Ireland?
Sinn Fein calls for a referendum on reuniting Ireland – but Theresa Villiers quashes the idea

"Short of the outbreak of war," it is hard to imagine anything worse for Ireland than the news that the UK is to leave the EU, says the Irish Times.
So how will Brexit affect Ireland – and the only part of the UK to share a land border with an EU country, Northern Ireland?
How did Northern Ireland vote?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Like the population of Scotland, people in Northern Ireland chose to stay within the UK. Some 55.8 per cent voted Remain, slightly less than the 62 per cent of Scots. Wales joined England in voting Leave.
Could Northern Ireland leave the UK?
First Minister Arlene Foster, who campaigned to leave the EU, insisted this morning that the country would stay within the UK, despite the Brexit result. Howevr, her deputy, Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein, called for a national referendum on reunification.
Might there be a 'border poll'?
The Good Friday Agreement provides for the holding of a referendum to determine whether the people of Northern Ireland want to remain part of the UK or join the Republic of Ireland. But Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the referendum could only happen if Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers felt there had been a "seismic shift in public opinion", reports UTV.
Villiers poured cold water on Sinn Fein's challenge, saying there is "no reason to believe there would be a majority support for a united Ireland".
How will Brexit affect peace?
"Central to the Northern Ireland peace settlement was a slow but inexorable process of making the border less important," says the Irish Times. "Now it is about to get more important."
The paper says a "delicate" resetting of the relationship between Ireland, Britain and Northern Ireland will be needed to ensure Brexit does not threaten the peace process.
South of the border, "it is hard to see how the ultimate effects will be anything other than overwhelmingly negative", it adds.
What about trade?
Ireland's two biggest political and trading partners, the EU and the UK, are "sundered in a manner as yet unknowable", says the Irish Times. Whatever happens, for the republic, the immediate future will be a "period of difficulty and uncertainty unprecedented in the last 50 years" and "more destabilising" than the Troubles, it adds.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Colleges are canceling affinity graduations amid DEI attacks but students are pressing on
In the Spotlight The commencement at Harvard University was in the news, but other colleges are also taking action
-
When did computer passwords become a thing?
The Explainer People have been racking their brains for good codes for longer than you might think
-
What to know before 'buying the dip'
the explainer Purchasing a stock once it has fallen in value can pay off — or cost you big
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Brexit 'reset' deal: how will it work?
In Depth Keir Stamer says the deal is a 'win-win', but he faces claims that he has 'surrendered' to Brussels on fishing rights
-
Are we entering the post-Brexit era?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer's 'big bet' with his EU reset deal is that 'nobody really cares' about Brexit any more
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?
Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans
-
Can Starmer sell himself as the 'tough on immigration' PM?
Today's Big Question Former human rights lawyer 'now needs to own the change – not just mouth the slogans' to win over a sceptical public
-
'Incarceration profoundly affects families and communities'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
-
Trump vows 25% tariffs on EU at Cabinet meeting
Speed Read The tariff threats serve to enhance a growing suspicion that the president views Europe as an adversary, not an ally