Northern Ireland’s Dy First Minister calls for border poll 

25 Jun, 2016 18:08 IST|Sakshi
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has called for a border poll on a united Ireland, after the UK has voted to leave the EU.  

London: After Brexit, another turmoil for the UK is emerging from Northern Ireland as the support for the EU is considerably higher in Northern Ireland than the rest of the UK. Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has called for a border poll on a united Ireland, after the UK has voted to leave the EU.

Northern Ireland is the part of the UK that shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the EU. it is unknown how the relationship between the two countries will be affected by Brexit. Independent reports that there’s speculation making rounds in Northern Ireland that a physical border and passport control checks could be erected between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Some politicians are raising their voice for an effective border to be drawn around mainland Great Britain, shutting off Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, as reported by Independent.

The cons after Brexit for Northern Ireland are many. Around 55 percent of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing demand met by the EU. The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy accounts for nearly 85 percent of farm revenues across Northern Ireland. The aid figure until 2020 is estimated at around €3billion for Northern Ireland. Funding for research in universities will be under threat.

Northern Ireland represents just 1.5 per cent of the UK’s citizens and has the 310-mile border. And in the last 21 years, Northern Ireland has benefited from three peace programmes and whopping financial contribution of euro 1.3 billion. The value of the PEACE IV programme is euro 270 million with the ERDF contribution to the Programme sitting at around 85 percent or euro 229 million. If Brexit becomes a reality, all this money will dry up for Northern Ireland.

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