Chamber says it will take ‘big principles’ to avoid hard border
THE need to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic following Brexit was among the topics for debate at a seminar hosted by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce.
The seminar attracted leaders from across the island including David Sterling, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Manufacturing Northern Ireland chief Stephen Kelly, Andrew Henderson, partner at law firm Eversheds Sutherland, and Enterprise Ireland chief executive Julie Sinnamon.
British Irish Chamber of Commerce president Eoin O’Neill discussed ideas developed by the Chamber in a document entitled ‘Big Principles’. Ideas include the prospect of the UK and EU forming a customs arrangement which could eliminate the need for a border on the island of Ireland.
“The frontier between Northern Ireland and the Republic runs for 310 miles. Trade over the border amounts to approximately €5bn a year and around 35,000 people commute across the border every day,” he said.
“The reintroduction of border controls would have serious implications for communities along the border and would significantly reduce cross-border trade, which would ultimately lead to job losses on both sides of the border.
“Both parties in the negotiations have spoken of their desire to find a deal that protects the open border on the island of Ireland and the Chamber’s Big Principles paper offers a possible solution to this challenge.”