The United Kingdom is not expected to reimpose border controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. On Monday 10 October, the British minister in charge of Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, made this suggestion known in an interview to The Guardian newspaper.
The United Kingdom is currently in talks with the Irish government on the question of strengthening immigration controls in ports and airports in an effort to ensure that border controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland do not become necessary when the United Kingdom leaves the EU, Brokenshire explained.
He said that in close collaboration with the Irish government, they had introduced a series of measures to tackle illegal immigration. He also indicated that he did not want customs controls reintroduced at the border. The Irish foreign minister, Charlie Flanagan, stated that negotiations between London and the Irish government would be held alongside the 26 other member states.
When asked about this subject on Monday 10 October, the European Commission refused to comment on possible scenarios and would only assert that in order to negotiate, they required prior activation of Article 50 by the UK. There are currently no negotiations taking place, Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas stated. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)