Some in Ireland have suggested that the US-Canada border arrangement could be a model for an Ireland-Northern Ireland border post-Brexit.

After visiting some US-Canada border posts Dr. Varadkar has expressed doubt:

“I have heard them describe it as a soft border, I wonder if that is the case? There are people who have told me it’s not. There are passport checks and customs checks and when I flew in from the US I had to fill in a customs form.”

But the Taoiseach also says that although a trade border between Ireland and NI will likely be necessary, passport-free travel between the 2 countries will continue.

Obviously this is a critical issue for tourism in both countries, especially in border regions where the best nearest destinations are often across the line.