No hard border for Northern Ireland post-Brexit, says government's Davis

Brexit secretary David Davis said there will not be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the European Union as he visited the region on Thursday.

Davis met with Northern Ireland first minister Arlene Foster in Belfast and maintained that a post-Brexit Britain will not enforce armed checkpoints and border checks along the UK’s only land frontier with the EU.

Davis wrote in the Belfast Telegraph on Thursday, ahead of his trip to Northern Ireland, that there there would be “no return to the past” for the region.

“We had a common travel area between the UK and the Republic of Ireland many years before either country was a member of the European Union.

“We are clear we do not want a hard border – no return to the past – and no unnecessary barriers to trade. What we will do is deliver a practical solution that will work in everyone’s interests, and I look forward to opening the conversation about how that should operate with my colleagues today.”

Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU by 56%, but Foster and Davis both campaigned for leave as they argued Brexit would offer greater trade opportunities for the UK.

However Northern Ireland's farmers in particular are concerned about the economic impact of Brexit as they receive subsidies from the EU.

Davis said: “Agriculture is a vital part of the Northern Ireland economy, and the government will match the current level of annual payments that the sector receives through the direct payment scheme until 2020, providing certainty,”

The MP for Haltemprice and Howden said post-Brexit the country would maintain the Anglo-Irish relationship.

“We are already working with the Irish government and I firmly believe this process will take our relationship forwards not backwards.

“The result of the referendum does not change the government’s priorities. Along with all political parties in Northern Ireland and the Irish government, we will continue to work for peace, stability and prosperity for Northern Ireland. As the government’s manifesto set out last year, we are committed to a brighter, more secure future for the people who live here.”

During his visit Davis will also meet with Sinn Féin finance minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, who is standing in for deputy first minister Martin McGuinness who is on leave. Sinn Féin and the SDLP campaigned to remain in the trading block and previously said they did not want to be "dragged out of the EU" by English votes.

On Wednesday prime minister Theresa May ruled out a second EU referendum and that the UK will not “stay in the EU by the back door”.