Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether Northern Ireland will remain in the EEA to secure a seamless and frictionless border with the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robin Walker
As the Prime Minister has made clear, and as established in our Position Paper on Northern Ireland and Ireland published in August, we remain firmly committed to avoiding a hard border, including any physical infrastructure between Northern Ireland and Ireland. We recognise the need for specific solutions for the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland and Ireland. But that solution cannot come at the cost of the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom, and cannot amount to creating a new border inside our United Kingdom.