[messe]

I suspect they could maintain an opt out for the Schengen, purely because a land border exists with Ireland, which isn’t part of the Schengen area either. (That being said I’d like it if Ireland joined Schengen, as it makes it just a tad more convenient when flying to the rest of the EU)

Doubtful that they could avoid a commitment to joining the eurozone though.

[disgruntledphd2]

Unfortunately Ireland will definitely not join Schengen unless the UK rejoin and do the same, as it would really mess up our border with Northern Ireland. I too would like it for the convenience but it's very unlikely to happen.

[Ekaros]

Ireland is not against Schengen. They are out because of UK and previous agreement. I think they would be extremely glad to join Schengen if UK was forced at exact same time.

[messe]

I agree (I'm from Ireland, and we're generally fairly pro-EU). Being an island though, the reality it doesn't make a huge difference to us day-to-day.

The way I'd imagine the UK retaining it's opt-out here, is that it's something that the EU could compromise on without really losing much (and importantly without losing face, as the Irish border and preservation of the GFA is a reasonable excuse to find reason to compromise) and that the UK negotiators could then present as a "win" back home, making the other conditions that the UK now has to accept (for example the euro) easier to sell the general populace on.

Obviously though, I'd much prefer if both the UK and Ireland joined Schengen together.

[PlutoIsAPlanet]

Apart from the visa policy I can’t imagine how the UK joining the Schengen would change much.

Airports would still require travel documentation (e.g id card or passport)

[scott_w]

You couldn’t campaign on it because you’re basically telling the EU upfront that you intend to negotiate joining the EU in bad faith