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Dermot Ahern: 'Hard border' Brexit would be 'terrible' for Ireland

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern. Picture: Julien Behal/PA Wire
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern. Picture: Julien Behal/PA Wire Justice Minister Dermot Ahern. Picture: Julien Behal/PA Wire

A FORMER Irish foreign affairs minister has said Brexit means there will be some sort of “hard border”, which he predicts will be “terrible” for Ireland.

Dermot Ahern, who was first elected to the Dáil 30 years ago this month, told RTÉ’s The Week in Politics: “One way or the other I think there is going to be some sort of a hard border which would be terrible for us.”

The comments by the former Louth TD echo last week’s remarks from Michael Lux, a former head of the European Commission’s customs procedures unit, that controls at the border will return post-Brexit.

“There will be a hard border of some sort and there will have to be checks, particularly on the southern side. That would be a disaster for us,” Mr Ahern said.

Despite assurances from British prime minister Theresa May that both governments want to see a “seamless, frictionless border”, Mr Ahern was critical of the British government.

“Whoever decided to put that referendum before the people in Britain didn’t think out the implications for Ireland, both north and south.”

Speaking about the impact on the government the former minister said: “I think our government are in a difficult position given that this has been foisted upon them against their will. 

“Obviously they have to try and ameliorate the situation for our people. One way or the other, I think it is particularly bad news for border areas.”

Meanwhile the Irish government is to host an a all-Ireland event later today to discuss how the energy sector will be affected by Brexit.

Hosted by Denis Naughten TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the event will examine business, infrastructure, investment and border issues.

The All-Island Brexit Civic Dialogue on Energy, being held in Boyle, is the latest in a series of Civic Dialogues being held by Government Departments following the All-Island Civic Dialogue held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in November.

The energy event will be opened by the minister and chaired by Jim Gannon, who is the CEO of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

The event hopes to be able to identify the key implications of Brexit for the energy sector and to provide an opportunity for input into the government’s preparations for the negotiation process.