Ireland, the EU, and Brexit

A chara, – Ava Hendon (July 6th) claims that an "Irexit is the only intuitive solution to so many of the problems thrown up by Brexit". This is simply wrong; it could only make things far worse. Irexit would not solve the Border problem. Before joining the EU, there was a rock-hard economic Border between the UK and Ireland, with customs checks and tariffs. An Irexit would simply extend this hard Border to the entire EU. Irexit would not prevent the economic damage that Brexit will do to our economy, but only extend that same damage to all our EU trade as well.

What about our membership fee? Although we are now (barely) net contributors, our contribution is an outstanding bargain when measured against the benefits to our country of single market membership. How could Irexit improve our rights to work, travel, study, and retire in Europe, rights the British seem set to lose?

Brexit was always a bad idea. Irexit is even worse. – Is mise,

SAOIRSE

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NÍ­ CHRUALAOICH,

Baile Ãtha Cliath 4.

Sir, – Leave the EU alongside the UK? “A Province Once Again?– Yours, etc,

Dr SEÁN Ó RIAIN,

Vienna.