From Edinburgh to Gibraltar, Brexit vote sparks new claims

Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP and Alliance Party campaigned for a Remain vote in the referendum campaign while the DUP, Traditional Unionist Voice and Ukip were among those advocating a Brexit.

Those who have favoured a united Ireland have asked whethern an effective border will have to be erected around mainland Great Britain, cutting off Northern Ireland from Great Britain (the Great Britain along with Northern Ireland is called the UK).

The Taoiseach added he was very sorry to see the United Kingdom leave but committed the Republic’s future to the EU.

“In the event of there being a vote to leave, we would be primarily focused on strategic national Irish interests across a range of issues, primarily economic and trade, so we have prepared a plan across a range of departments”.

“The call for a border poll was as predictable as the flowers in May”, she said.

Popular vote within England may have come down clearly in favor of leaving the European Union, but citizens in Scotland and Northern Ireland voted decisively to stay.

It was approved in a referendum in Northern Ireland with a 71 per cent majority.

The Taoiseach also attempted to ease concerns among the Irish community in Britain.

“Ireland is officially no longer owned by Britain!” she crowed in capital letters.

The Taoiseach also said he was “acutely aware” of the concerns of the Irish people regarding this decision and he also reiterated Ireland’s intention to remain in the European Union which he described as an issue of ‘profoundly worldwide interest’.

Enterprise Ireland said that in the immediate term, the key impact on Irish exporters is likely to be around exchange rate volatility and that companies as a first step should seek financial advice relating to hedging and managing associated risks.

The outcome of the vote has prompted Sinn Fein to call for a border poll on Irish reunification.

He added: ‘There needs to be special arrangements which take account of the democratically expressed wishes of the people of the north of Ireland and the people of Scotland who wish to remain and maintain our contacts and ability to work with very senior officials and governmental authorities within Europe’.

“We will have detailed discussions on how to best approach these new circumstances – acting in the best interests of all of the people of Ireland, North and South”, he said.

Talks are planned for July 4 between the Taoiseach and the North’s First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness when the North/South Ministerial Council meets. Some 56% of Northern Irish voters voted in favor of remaining in the EU. The Irish Tourism industry is highly dependent on the British Market as over 3 million from the United Kingdom visit Ireland each year.