Norway is still part of the European Common Market (or however its termed), even though it isn’t an EU member. Likewise there are extent deals and arrangements between the EU and Norway. And presumably Denmark’s trade agreement with Norway was negotiated through or with the EU. If Britian is no longer in the EU, and does not yet have a trade deal and other things in place with the EU, I’ve been lead to believe Ireland can’t negotiate a separate deal appart from those EU negotiations or before those negotiations are done.
Aside from that even if nothing changes in terms of trade between the UK and Ireland from here on out. If the UK’s economy falls, so does Ireland’s. Because Ireland’s economy is so heavily tied to the UK’s. It is worse if they can no longer access the UK markets, and businesses in Ireland can no longer benefit from proximity and common language with the UK. Even temporarily. But Ireland will see a down turn in some way so long as the UK does.
Now you can certainly blame the Irish government for prioritizing economic relations with a single nation so much, rather than attempting to spread things around a bit more. Its something that’s bit them in the ass before. But given that the UK’s government decided to turn something as critical as EU membership into a political stunt. Then the nation voted to leave knowing full well the economic consequences (and in fact in many cases loudly dismissing those consequences). I think we can certainly blame the UK. Whatever economic problems result will be the direct result of poorly planned actions by the UK government, shitty management of the Brexit campaign by those pushing Remain, and rote propaganda by the UK’s far right. That makes it their fault. The EU didn’t push them out, Ireland didn’t cut of trade and relations.
