Brexit fallout
The fallout continues in the wake of the UK's historic vote to leave the European Union.
The fallout continues in the wake of the UK's historic vote to leave the European Union.
First Minister Arlene Foster has said she believes the common travel area between the UK and Ireland can continue to exist post-Brexit.
She was speaking at a press conference following the emergency meeting of the British Irish Council meeting in Cardiff to discuss the impact of the Brexit vote.
Earlier, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he could not see how a common travel area on the island of Ireland could survive, considering that immigration had been a big issue in those supporting Britain leaving the EU.
However, Ms Foster was more positive about the border situation.
The hard border that we had in the 70s and 80s was there for a completely different reason than for customs and excise, it was because we were dealing with a terrorist threat at that particular point in time. I think it is eminently possible and probable and something that we will very much seek to do to ensure that the common travel area exists in a very real and meaningful way.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who was also in attendance, stressed the importance that there was no hard border between the Republic of Ireland and UK.
"It would not be acceptable either south or north that there would be a European Union border running from Dundalk to Derry, it would not be acceptable,” he commented.
“We're not going back to the days of checkpoints, towers and customs and all of that. That would be very retrograde step."
NI Secretary of State James Brokenshire reiterated that he was committed to making sure any border arrangements were as 'soft' as possible.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness says he has “no faith” that Parliament would vote to reject the Brexit process being triggered.
The Northern Ireland peace process is based upon membership of the European Union, the High Court has heard.
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt warns Northern Ireland faces a 'decade of uncertainty' following the UK's decision to leave the EU.