The hard Brexit cliff edge is so close that “we can see the drop right in front of our feet”, Ireland’s European Union commissioner has warned in a speech in which he also accused hard-line Brexiteers of trying to bully the EU.

Phil Hogan, the European Commission’s agriculture chief, compared Brexit to the former footballer Roy Keane, known for his aggressive style of play, last night in Brussels and accused the British government of ignoring the risks posed to Northern Ireland by Brexit.

“Brexit is a bit like Roy Keane,” he said referring to the former Manchester United and Ireland captain, “It is a subject upon which people's views are strongly and loudly held.”

“What becomes more obvious day-by-day is that the Brexiteers are hooked on brinkmanship – and have been since the beginning. Unfortunately, their only approach is the tough-guy approach,” Mr Hogan said, “The hardliners cannot get out of their head the idea that if they bully their way towards the wire, the “Union’s nerve will crack”.

“I fear that in the UK debate, common sense left the building a long time ago. Unfortunately, facts and details are derided by the Brexiteers,” he said at the launch of new book Brexit and Ireland: The Dangers, the Opportunities and the Inside Story of the Irish Response.