Stephen Farry, Deputy Leader of the non-sectarian Alliance Party, writes-
"BREXIT entails new divisions and barriers. Yet, as a divided society and a contested space, Northern Ireland can only really succeed based on sharing and interdependence.
There is an overwhelming case for a unique solution or special deal for this region. This needs to have cross-community support and be presented as a pragmatic response.
However, Brexit is increasingly viewed through the lens of identity politics, with unionists insisting on a one-size-fits-all Brexit for the UK as a whole, and some nationalists portraying any special deal or status as a stepping stone to a united Ireland.
We really need to focus on building a cross-community approach in Northern Ireland. Therefore, while I fully respect the right of various parties and people to argue for constitutional change, if we end up conflating the achievement of special deal for Northern Ireland with the pursuit of a united Ireland, it will be fatal to creating a cross-community consensus.
Much of the public debate has been around avoiding a hard border, either across the island of Ireland or down the Irish Sea. The only sure way to avoid either of these outcomes is for the UK as a whole to have a Customs Union with the European Union."
www.irishnews.com/news/2017/10/10/news/brexit-platform---stephen-farry-1157701/