North Ireland “hard border” controversy surfaces in in London and Brussels

Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:23 UTC

Full article 3 comments

The British government has dismissed any prospect of a return to a “hard border” on the island of Ireland after Brexit. It followed the leak of a letter from Boris Johnson in which he appeared to contemplate future customs border checks after the UK leaves the EU. Read full article

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Bisley
These politicians are liars and idiots. If there is an international border, there must be customs and immigration control, otherwise there is no way to control smuggling and evasion of import duties, or have any knowledge of , or control over who enters the country. Northern Ireland can't be both UK and EU -- it's either a part of the UK, subject to British law, and with a real border, or it's independent, part of the Irish Republic, or something else.
Feb 28th, 2018 - 02:57 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
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:o))
@Bisley

Hard border, Soft border, Border, No-Border - for the smugglers, it's just a minor change in their modus operandi [facilitated by the politicians]!
Feb 28th, 2018 - 06:00 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
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Conqueror
@Bisley. You are, of course, quite wrong. The Republic of Ireland is a “special case”. On the immigration front, the Republic has always been a part of the Common Travel Area.

On the subject of customs, there have long been systems whereby declarations are made in advance at places remote from the border. It then becomes the norm for customs officers to exercise controls at the places where goods are despatched and received. It is, of course, possible that the Republic hasn't made the leap into the 21st century. Never mind, I'm sure that the UK will be willing to sell it the required technology.

In terms of physical controls, automatic numberplate recognition cameras coupled with armed drones should be quite adequate. I note the preparations being made for recovery of control over waters within the UK EEZ. I particularly noted the intention to use drones and armed patrols. Having taken note of material from drones screened on television, I see no reason to doubt that armed drones are quite capable of “taking care” of anything from large fishing vessels down through trucks and cars to individuals. Law-breaking Dutch fish poachers down to Irish cross-border smugglers should take note. I understand that the UK uses the MQ-9 Reaper that can carry either the US Hellfire or MBDA Brimstone missiles.
Mar 01st, 2018 - 12:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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