Northern Ireland referendum

■ An open letter to all the people of

Northern Ireland.

You should have the final say in your own future.

If the UK and EU can’t agree a trade deal, then there should be a referendum held in Northern Ireland, asking the people what they want.

All the people of Northern Ireland should make the final decision. There is too much at risk to leave it in the hands of the politicians.

The questions I would put are as follows:

A. That Northern Ireland leaves the EU with the rest of the UK and has a hard Border on the island of Ireland.

B. That Northern Ireland should be in a common regulatory area with Brussels to avoid a hard Border on the island.

The result of this democratic referendum would have to be accepted by everybody.

That includes unionists, nationalists, the Irish and English.

If option A is what the people vote for, then the UK and the EU will have to work out some formula for the common travel area, for people and trade between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

If option B is what the people vote for, then the UK and EU will have to work out some formula for the common travel area, for people and trade between the UK and the island of Ireland.

The territory of Northern Ireland could be “considered” part of the EU customs territory, and still be part of the UK.

The Canary Islands are outside the EU, but still are part of the t erritorial area of Spain, which is in the EU. Sean McLoughlin

Shannon, Co Clare