Abstract
UK withdrawal from the EU poses many challenges for Northern Ireland. The
preferred option of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is, in many respects,
for the status quo to be maintained. An approach that could mitigate some of the
impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland and maintain much of the economic status quo
is for Northern Ireland to become a member of the European Economic Area (EEA).
This paper sets out what the EEA offers and highlights how EEA membership might be
achieved as well as the issues it raises. In the EEA, Northern Ireland would retain full
access to the Single Market. It would continue to be part of a European market with
the free movement of goods, services, capital and people. EEA membership would
also permit some citizenship rights to be maintained. It would not be a panacea,
however. It would also bring with it political and legal challenges. But it is a known
arrangement and would therefore ensure a significant degree of certainty.
Original language | English |
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Type | Online paper |
Media of output | SSRN repsitory |
Number of pages | 10 |
Publication status | Published - 04 Apr 2017 |