UK exit from Europe would impact travel between Ireland and NI, report says By Julian O'Neill

BBC News NI Business Correspondent Published duration 23 June 2015

image copyright EPA image caption The committee said the UK's membership of the EU is an issue of vital national interest to Ireland

A UK withdrawal from the European Union would impact on cross-border travel in Ireland, a report has said.

The so-called Brexit "could result in issues around freedom of movement in border areas," according to members of the Irish parliament.

It has called on London and Dublin to negotiate "a special position" for Northern Ireland, protecting north-south relations.

The UK government is committed to an in-out referendum by the end of 2017.

Trade

The issue has divided Northern Ireland parties.

The two main unionist parties back a referendum based on a renegotiated deal.

The other three executive parties do not want change.

The report said the Republic of Ireland and the UK trade over 1bn euros-worth of goods and services every week and 25% of Northern Ireland's trade is with Ireland.

"The prospect of the UK leaving the EU is a very real one and the report emphasises the importance of Ireland being engaged on this issue from the very beginning," said committee chair Dominic Hannigan.