The Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers is insisting that border controls will not be re-introduced between the Republic and the North if the UK votes to leave the European Union.

She has said the North’s economy would flourish following a Brexit, but goods and people would continue to flow freely over the border.

Her comments came as former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today joined the debate, raising concerns about the impact a Brexit would have on our cross border trade.

Ms Villiers has said nothing will change if the UK votes to leave the EU: “There is no reason why we have to change our border arrangements in the event of a Brexit because they have been broadly consisted in the 100 years since the creation of Ireland as a separate state.

“Again the Irish ambassador made it clear that it would be in Ireland’s interests to maintain these kinds of arrangements, it is in the interests of both countries to keep an open border.”