The Irish border is arguably the most problematic issue of all in the Brexit negotiations. As soon as the indicative proposals of the Withdrawal Treaty were published in December last year, I said that the consequences of the "backstop" (insurance policy to prevent the emergence of a hard border) would be that we must remain in a customs union with the EU for a period of time whilst the details of our long-term relationship were determined. This has proved to be the reality. 

It is difficult for those outside Ireland to understand the issue of 'the border', most of us on this side of the Irish Sea associate this with the crossing from one side to the other and checking transported goods. In the minds of the Irish it is much more than that, the border relates to issues surrounding identity and political allegiance. The Good Friday Agreement is a perfect example of when compromise provided a satisfactory psychological solution for both Republicans and Unionists. The context was the common membership of the EU, allowing political and economic co-operation throughout the British and Irish Isles. Brexit puts an almighty spanner in the works, a fact totally misunderstood by Brexiteers this side of the Channel. At present it is the Unionists who appear most affronted by the proposed 'compromise'. 

In a long standing bi-lateral agreement between the British and Irish governments, the British Isles is a common travel area and both governments intend for this to remain the same even if there is a no deal Brexit. This means that rights to enter into, reside in and work in both jurisdictions will continue. However, foreign nationalists settled in either country may have big problems going forward, which is just another source of tension. There is also the matter of treatment of each others citizens after Brexit, especially a no deal scenario.

When I first visited Ireland in the 1950s and '60s rugby was seen as an activity for those who had a connection with Britain. Now rugby is almost the chief national sport. The Irish have embraced rugby as their own regardless of what side they belong to and they are currently the most successful team in the Northern Hemisphere. Rugby is symbolic of the world which the Good Friday Agreement has enabled.

The Good Friday Agreement is under threat and it is hardly surprising that many Unionists voted to remain. As the logic of a united Ireland is strengthened through Brexit, we must be careful of those who decided to take advantage of the unrest. Theresa May found a way past this problem but her solution is in peril and heaven knows where we are heading. It truly is 'Brexit Chaos'.