It said the sharing of information from points of entry into both states was also part of a strategy to counter terrorism and organised crime. The finance minister, Michael Noonan, said there could be the usual “normal checks” at points of entry into Ireland which would keep tabs on any illegal immigration using the Irish border to enter the UK. Even though Northern Ireland voted 54% in favour of staying in the EU, the overall outcome of the 23 June referendum means the region will be outside the EU when Britain leaves. Fitzgerald said there was “not anything surprising” in Brokenshire’s views and that such a move would avoid the re-establishment of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Any system designed to enable the UK to control and monitor immigration via Ireland is bound to be politically controversial.

Source: The Guardian October 10, 2016 20:45 UTC