Stupefied by Lord Kilclooney letter

While much remains to be seen as the negotiations for the UK’s departure from the EU are only beginning, it is clear that Brexit will cause a gulf between Ireland, as an EU member state, and the UK.

It will not be business as usual and it is unwise to imagine that things will remain more or less as they are.

Lord Kilclooney stated “The reality is that Brexit will create economic circumstances which will bring the Republic closer to the UK again” but he provided no proof that this will happen.

How is he so sure of this?

Can he explain how Ireland and the UK are going to be closer when the UK leaves the EU?

While small Irish businesses which are heavily reliant on exporting to the UK are going to be seriously affected by Brexit, it is very difficult to imagine how tariffs and customs placed on exports and imports are going to bring Ireland and the UK closer together.

By the UK leaving the Customs’ Union and the Single Market, the Irish and the UK’s economies will diverge drastically.

It will be easier and cheaper for Irish businesses to look to do business with other EU states rather than trying to do business with the UK.

He concludes that the Republic might wish to leave the EU. Most people in Ireland (all 32 counties) are generally supportive of being in the EU. Did Lord Kilclooney not hear about the rush for Irish passport application forms the day after the Brexit referendum last June?

Unionists who would never before dreamed of looking for an Irish passport saw the benefit of doing that as it allows them to be EU citizens and reap the benefits of it.

It is far too early to know that will happen to Ireland, the UK and the EU upon the departure of the UK, but it is probably not going to be like the way Lord Kilclooney imagines it will be.

Is mise, Seanán Ó Coistín, Tier, Germany