Brexit vote must not be allowed to damage NI peace process - Kerry

US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned that the UK's Brexit vote must not be allowed jeopardise the remarkable gains of the Northern Ireland peace process.

But Mr Kerry, speaking after a bilateral meeting in Tipperary with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan, acknowledged that Brexit poses "tough issues" for Ireland, the UK and Europe over how to ensure economic growth while balancing free movement of people with the UK's exit from the EU.

"The Foreign Affairs Minister [Charlie Flanagan] and I discussed the UK vote to leave the EU which we have both reiterated, along with colleagues from across the Irish and British governments, (it) must not impact the push for peace in Northern Ireland," Mr Kerry said.

"That is critical. I also want to make it clear that, on a personal level, as well as Secretary State and President [Barack] Obama, we felt very strongly that leaving the EU was not the way to go [for the UK] - and we expressed that at the time.

"But the people have voted and so we are committed now to figuring out some very tough questions.

"How do you maintain the economic opportunity that is so critical that came through the EU while, at the same time, reconciling the requirements for the movement of people with access to the single market? This is a tough issue and I can't tell you, as I stand here today, knowing exactly how that is going to be resolved."

Mr Kerry said the US would offer whatever support it could in the times ahead.

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"I know that the US wants a strong UK, a strong EU and we want the closest possible relationship with both," he added.

"We want to make certain that the market place itself remains as strong as possible. We will also work as hard as we can to honour the vote but also to make sure that the larger challenges of security and economic strength and the long term capacity for growth are all going to be met."

Mr Kerry, who flew to London last night for a series of meetings, said the Brexit vote came at a challenging time for the world.

"This is a very challenging moment on a global basis but very few countries step up the way that Ireland steps up," he said.

Jobs

"That is why the United States remains absolutely and firmly committed to both the fresh start and the Stormont House accords.

"We will support all steps necessary to implement them. I want to underscore the importance of establishing the institutions that are called for in the agreements that will deal with the legacies of the Troubles.

"Doing so is critical to attracting foreign investment, to strengthening businesses and to providing jobs and to growing the economy of Northern Ireland.

"All key ingredients for building and keeping a lasting peace on this beautiful island."

In a stark warning, he urged everyone to be careful with their comments about the Northern Ireland situation.

"People need to be really careful with (the) downstream consequences that one choice can have an impact on other aspects of whatever happens with the Border," Mr Kerry said.

"It is really critical that it is done very thoughtfully and very sensitively so that it doesn't impact (on the island economy).

"It is fair to say that few nations better understand the value of resolving territorial questions (than Ireland) or addressing age-old grievances. Over nearly two decades the world has seen the remarkable success, the striking success, of the Good Friday Agreement. But continued success is going to require continued effort."

Irish Independent