Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has said that vigilance will be required as Brexit negotiations move to the next phase.
Carthy was addressing a recent public meeting in Letterkenny, Co Donegal following a day-long series of engagements with local organisations.
Matt Carthy said:
“In relation to the Brexit negotiations, Sinn Féin has consistently impressed upon the Irish Government the need to stand up for Ireland’s interests, the Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement.
“Brexit poses the biggest threat to the Irish economy North and South, the Good Friday Agreement and the progress that has made as a result of the Peace Process over two decades.
“The communiqué on the Brexit negotiations released today, is clearly not a final deal. It sets out a number of broad principles, including recognition of the special situation of the North of Ireland. However, it also leaves many questions unanswered.
“The British Government insists that the North has to leave the customs union and the single market. This poses real issues regarding avoidance of a hard, economic border. The future role of the European Court of Justice and right of EU citizens in the North is also unclear. These are real pressing issues, particularly for nationalists in the North and for border communities, North and South.
“Sinn Féin will not stand for any hardening of the border in Ireland or for any dilution or undermining of the Good Friday Agreement.
“Vigilance and unity of purpose is required in the time ahead by border communities and all who care about Ireland’s interests, to ensure that Brexit does not result in any type of hard border and to ensure that the rights of all our people are upheld.”
