The Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers is insisting that border controls will not be reintroduced between the Republic of Ireland and the north if the UK votes to leave the European Union.

She says the north's economy would flourish following a Brexit, and says the "Leave" campaign fully support subsidies for its vital farming sector. 

Ms Villiers says maintaining open borders is in the interests of both Britain and Ireland:

Her comments came as former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today joined the debate, raising concerns about the impact a "Brexit" would have on our cross border trade.

Mr Ahern says quitting the EU would be "negative in every way" for the UK and Ireland: