As the Brexit countdown continues time is ticking for negotiations to deliver an exit deal for the UK After leaving the EU  we will no longer share all the same commonalties with the Republic, and the time zone may become one significant difference.

The European Commission recently announced plans to end the practice of changing clocks twice each year following a research study which found the practice to be unpopular. If these proposals proceed it could leave the north facing a conundrum in deciding to permanently adopt either summer or winter time. 

The result of this decision would see the North aligning clocks with the Republic or with the rest of the UK, warned peers. This would result in the clocks here being one hour out from London or Dublin should Brexit negotiations fail. 

A report by a Lords committee warns that if Dublin agrees with the time change and “the UK then decided to maintain summertime arrangements, Northern Ireland (assuming the devolved institutions have been re-established) would have to choose between having a one-hour time difference for half the year either with the Republic of Ireland or with the rest of the UK”.