By Noelle O Connell, Director, European Movement Ireland

The forthcoming UK general election on May 7th 2015 has led to increased discussion of a potential UK exit from the EU. If this were to occur, it could severely impact peace, prosperity and security in Northern Ireland, which would, in turn, affect the Republic of Ireland.

Historical Background

Britain and Ireland have a long history of interaction and linkage. In the 20th Century, British rule was challenged in Ireland, culminating in the ‘1916 Rising’, which led to civil war and to the partition of the country. In the south, 26 counties formed a separate state, while six counties in the North stayed within the UK. In Northern Ireland, the two groups developed mutually exclusive visions of national identity and national belonging: the Nationalists who wished for a united Ireland and the Unionists who desired to remain part of the UK. This led to decades of unrest, sectarian violence and conflict. That was until 1998, when the Good Friday Agreement brought about a comprehensive political settlement of the Northern Ireland conflict. At the time it represented unprecedented cooperation between the Irish and British Governments and continues to form the cornerstone of peace and security across the island of Ireland.

Keeping in mind that 2015 is designated the European Year for Development (EYD 2015), it is important to acknowledge the values of international development cooperation inherent in ensuring peace and security in Northern Ireland with mutual assistance and solidarity, as evidenced by the EU’s involvement. Unbeknownst to many, the European Union played an active role in the peace process and was important in facilitating contact between the UK and Ireland, promoting cross-border cooperation, and supporting economic reconstruction. The EU’s motto; United in Diversity, was apparent in the commitment to the peaceful expression of both unionist and nationalist identities in the north. To this day, the EU bears direct relevance upon the very institutions of the agreement and continues to support peace and reconciliation efforts.

‘Brexit’ may impact upon peace and security

If the UK opt-out of the EU, it would make Northern Ireland the only part of the UK to share a land border with the EU. A ‘Brexit’ threatens the openness of the border and, notwithstanding the purely economic effects that may be commensurate with this; there is also a particular peace and security dimension. North-South relations form one of the pillars of the Good Friday Agreement, and are essential to ensuring peace in the border region. This can be considered largely dependent upon the openness of the border, which is provided for within an EU context.

Additionally, the EU provides significant funding to Northern Ireland, such as the ERDF, the CAP and the SEUPB. There have been four successive PEACE programmes funded by the EU, which have supported dialogue, partnership, cross-border cooperation and reconciliation as well as job creation and economic recovery. These programmes have enabled previously competing groups within civil society to cooperate and look past sectarian division under the auspices of EU funding. A ‘Brexit’ could make the future of these supports uncertain. This would be to the detriment of the community and voluntary sector, which is important in addressing social and economic deprivation, building cross-community and cross-border relationships and promoting peace-building activities.

The work of European Movement Ireland

EM Ireland has always recognised the importance of cross-border initiatives and cooperation, which promote citizen engagement with the EU, particularly with Irish young people. This has been reflected in some of our recent programmes and events which had a 32-county dimension. This year, taking account of the themes of EYD, EM Ireland has been implementing a busy work programme, which builds on our previous developmental work with young people in Ireland, north and south, and across the EU.

• In January 2015, we held a conference at Dublin Castle where our keynote speaker, the Rt Hon Ken Clarke QC MP outlined many of the potential negatives for Ireland, not least of which was the potential negative effect on Northern Ireland of a ‘Brexit’.
• To mark EYD in Ireland , we commissioned a video for the official launch.
• In 2014, we organised My MEP – My Voice, in conjunction with European Movement Northern Ireland, which gave young people the chance to put the questions and issues they care about directly to all MEP candidates for the European elections on the Island of Ireland.
• In 2013, we oversaw the Youth Media and the Irish Presidency (YMIP) programme involving 25 young citizen journalists from across the island, reporting on Ireland’s presidency of the European Council.

Uncertainty breeds instability

Thus far, much of the public debate on the implications of a ‘Brexit’ has not taken account of the impact on Ireland, north and south. EYD 2015 promotes the EU as a global actor, one which seeks to lead and take on some of the challenges of our time. It is essential that politicians, policy makers and the public at large consolidate the role of the EU in ensuring peace and security in Northern Ireland, which remains as relevant today as it has been for the past few decades, in the wider context of global peace. European Movement Ireland will continue to play a role in keeping these issues on the public policy agenda, pending the outcome of the UK election.

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