Ireland braces itself for political and economic turmoil after BrexitCATHAL MCNAUGHTON / REUTERS Could Northern Ireland leave the UK, if Britain ends up leaving the EU. Ireland is bracing itself for damaging economic and political fallout from the decision by Britain, its nearest neighbour and largest trade partner, to vote to leave the European Union. Ireland will have to consider taking steps to assist firms exporting into Britain, Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan told Reuters on Wednesday. Pro-Brexit campaigners, including Britain's minister for Northern Ireland, described those warnings as "scaremongering" and said a Brexit would not endanger a common travel area that predates both countries' entry into the EU in 1973. While the United Kingdom as a whole voted by 52 per cent to 48 per cent in favour of leaving the EU, 56 per cent of those in Northern Ireland favoured staying.

Source: Stuff June 24, 2016 06:11 UTC