This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/07/brexit-would-harm-peace-in-north-warns-irish-foreign-minister

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Brexit' would harm peace in North, warns Irish foreign minister 'Brexit' would harm peace process, warns Irish foreign minister
(about 2 hours later)
A British exit from the European Union would be bad for Ireland and the Irish peace process, the republic’s foreign minister has warned.A British exit from the European Union would be bad for Ireland and the Irish peace process, the republic’s foreign minister has warned.
Charles Flanagan said on Monday that the UK remaining inside the EU was vital to Irish interests. Charles Flanagan said on Monday that the UK remaining inside the EU was vital to Irish interests, and that staying in Europe would maintain the close nature of Anglo-Irish relations.
Staying in Europe would maintain the close nature of Anglo-Irish relations, Flanagan said.
In a speech in London, Flanagan said: “We want the UK in the EU because our union is stronger on account of Britain’s presence. Because Ireland and our society, businesses and citizens benefit from the UK’s membership. And because it reinforces and enriches the remarkably deep bond between our two countries and peoples.”In a speech in London, Flanagan said: “We want the UK in the EU because our union is stronger on account of Britain’s presence. Because Ireland and our society, businesses and citizens benefit from the UK’s membership. And because it reinforces and enriches the remarkably deep bond between our two countries and peoples.”
Related: DUP threatens to pull plug on Stormont government over Provisional IRA claimsRelated: DUP threatens to pull plug on Stormont government over Provisional IRA claims
Flanagan said the EU had a positive influence, particularly in Northern Ireland.Flanagan said the EU had a positive influence, particularly in Northern Ireland.
“From the outset, joint British-Irish EU membership has facilitated progress with the peace process … The EU has been a powerful – if understated – force for good for everyone and every community across Northern Ireland.”“From the outset, joint British-Irish EU membership has facilitated progress with the peace process … The EU has been a powerful – if understated – force for good for everyone and every community across Northern Ireland.”
He said the Irish Republic would be supportive of Britain’s negotiations with the EU prior to the European referendum but would also be “respectful” about the concerns of the other 26 European nations.He said the Irish Republic would be supportive of Britain’s negotiations with the EU prior to the European referendum but would also be “respectful” about the concerns of the other 26 European nations.
He said that the Irish government understood the complexities and challenges posed by holding the EU “Brexit” referendum given that Ireland has had to hold numerous plebiscites since its constitution was drawn up in the 1930s.He said that the Irish government understood the complexities and challenges posed by holding the EU “Brexit” referendum given that Ireland has had to hold numerous plebiscites since its constitution was drawn up in the 1930s.
Flanagan was speaking at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham Housein London before flying to Belfast to co-chair talks on Tuesday between the main Northern Irish parties aimed at saving devolution from collapse. Flanagan was speaking at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London before flying to Belfast to co-chair talks on Tuesday between the main Northern Irish parties aimed at saving devolution from collapse.
The Irish Republic’s government is backing calls for the establishment of a ceasefire monitoring group in the aftermath of allegations that the IRA killed a former member, Kevin McGuigan, in Belfast last month.The Irish Republic’s government is backing calls for the establishment of a ceasefire monitoring group in the aftermath of allegations that the IRA killed a former member, Kevin McGuigan, in Belfast last month.
It is expected that the talks co-chaired by Flanagan and the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, will continue for at least four weeks.It is expected that the talks co-chaired by Flanagan and the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, will continue for at least four weeks.