Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 11 October 2016: UK and Ireland try to avoid `hard´ border after Brexit

Britain is seeking to avoid a `hard´ border between the north and the south by using Irish ports and airports for UK immigration controls. This will enhance border controls concerning illegal immigration by strengthening the external borders of the Common Travel Area (CTA). The CTA between Ireland and the UK allows for full freedom of movement between people on both islands and would still be guaranteed if Irish ports and airports would be used for immigration controls. A `hard´ border, which both governments try to avoid, would aggravate the economic cooperation between both regions and the areas along the border would suffer.

Nonetheless, the aim to preserve the almost invisible border between Northern Ireland and the Republic that allowed for passport- free travel would contradict the claims of Brexit supporters who aimed at `taking back control of its borders´. Furthermore, avoiding the `hard´ border, would lead to the CTA becoming an external border to the EU and is, therefore, a decision that has to be take not only by the UK and Ireland, but also by the other EU Member States. Ireland has to face a balancing act of remaining member of the EU, but also reaffirm operation ties with the UK, without shifting the emphasis from common interests to what divides.