Special EU status for Northern Ireland - after Brexit - is being touted as a possible way forward by Margaret Ritchie.
The South Down MP led a Commons debate yesterday on Brexit's impact on future EU funding here.
She said it's been essential in regenerating Northern Ireland’s economy.
But she warned that "the non-aligned cross-border impact of EU funding would be very difficult to replicate outside the EU".
Mrs Ritchie also maintained associate EU membership for Northern Ireland IS compatible with the Prime Minister's twelve Brexit negotiation goals.
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