Regions and borders: Controversies in northern Ireland about the European union

This article is about the simultaneous effects on Northern Ireland of European integration; both ameliorating constitutional controversies and becoming part of the fundamental conflict. There is common ground about NI's material interests and their political representation in Brussels through Westminster. But policy which requires cross‐border co‐operation can be seen by unionists as ‘creeping’ Irish unification. NI is not unique in containing both regional advocates of better policy‐making within existing states and those who see the EU as an opportunity for a different political status. Concessions to some cross‐border co‐operation have been made in recent initiatives from various political quarters. Thus, the conclusion is that there is scope for participants of different persuasions to concentrate upon improving defects internal to the UK and upon the appropriate composition and functions of ad hoc cross‐border authorities.