THE House of Lords EU Committee has warned that without a new deal between the British and Irish Government there is a risk of Brexit 'collateral damage', particularly in Northern Ireland.
The report into British and Irish relations post-Brexit also warned that failure to pay attention to the Irish consequences of Brexit could undermine 'peace and good relations' between both countries.
Lord Boswell, Chairman of the House of Lords EU Committee, said there was now a question mark over the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement.
“The burgeoning peace process following the Good Friday Agreement has improved people’s lives right across the island of Ireland,” he said. "That progress has in part been based on the fact that both the UK and the Republic of Ireland are EU Member States, with free movement and trade across an open border.
"Brexit means that there is now a question mark over these achievements."
Lord Boswell also said that while both the British and Irish Governments ‘desperately’ want to avoid a hard border, it is not a given as it will be left to the other EU Member States to decide.
The Irish report, one of six being released this week covering all aspects of Brexit, was the culmination of political meetings in London, Belfast and Dublin.
To protect the interests of Northern Ireland, the Committee called on British and Irish Governments to draft a bilateral agreement, which could be put to the EU as part of the Brexit negotiations.
“We need early agreement on all sides that the UK and Ireland should be allowed to reach a draft bilateral agreement," he said. "One that protects the unique nature of UK-Irish relations, of Northern Ireland, and of North-South relations on the island of Ireland.
"It should guarantee open land borders and sea boundaries, support cross-border trade, and preserve EU funding for cross-border projects. That agreement can then be put to the other EU Member States and agreed as part of the wider Brexit negotiations.
“Closer UK-Irish relations and stability in Northern Ireland are too important to put at risk as collateral damage of the Brexit decision.”
The report acknowledged the 'profound' implications of Brexit for both the North and the Republic of Ireland.
Other key points of the bilateral agreement should include maintenance of the Common Travel Area, and ease of movement between Northern Ireland and Britain.
Northern Irish citizens should also retain the right to Irish and EU citizenship.
The right to make decisions over the free movement of EU nationals within its jurisdiction should be devolved to Stormont.
A customs and trade arrangement between Britain and Ireland if Britain leaves the customs union, should also feature in the agreement according to the Lords.
They also called for both governments to reaffirm their commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and continued support for cross-border cooperation.
