“Leaving the EU customs union will require the introduction of new customs controls (a ‘hard border’) between Northern Ireland and the Republic, in order to prevent goods from crossing the Border in contravention of customs checks.”

Negotiating a new free trade agreement with the EU, which would have to be ratified by all 27 remaining member states, could take years.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny says that Irish unity must be considered in Brexit talks.