Former Taoisigh (Irish Prime Ministers) John Bruton and Bertie Ahern to answer questions on UK-Irish Relations and Brexit
The House of Lords EU Select Committee will next week continue its inquiry into the impact of Brexit on UK-Irish relations with evidence from John Bruton and Bertie Ahern.
The Committee have been looking at how Brexit might impact on UK-Irish relations in areas including concerns about the return of a hard border between North and South, the impact on the Common Travel Area between the two nations and on the Northern Ireland peace process.
Mr Bruton served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 1994-97 and then as EU Ambassador to the USA between 2004-2009. Mr Ahern was Taoiseach from 1997-2008. They will be asked for their views on a range of issues including:
- What are the main implications for UK-Irish relations that will need to be addressed as a result of Brexit? Should there be a specific bilateral UK-Irish deal as part of the Brexit negotiations?
- Are existing bilateral contacts between the UK and Irish Governments sufficient to deal with the implications of Brexit or are new mechanisms needed?
- How can the Government's pledge that there will be no return to hard borders in Ireland be delivered?
- What will the impact be on cross-border arrangements if the UK does not remain a member of the Customs Union?
- What would be the impact of Brexit on cross-border trade, especially in the agri-food sector?
- What steps need to be taken to ensure the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process more generally is not undermined by Brexit?
- What will be the impact of Brexit on cross-border police and security cooperation?
The evidence session will start 4pm on Tuesday 25 October in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords.
