‘Brexit is not a matter of North versus South or Orange versus Green’ – Mary Lou McDonald

ARLENE FOSTER should be at the all-island Brexit forum that opens in Dublin on Wednesday as First Minister and leader of a Democratic Unionist Party that campaigned for the North’s withdrawal from the EU, Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has said. The forum is being convened by the Irish Government after calls by Sinn Féin and Gerry Adams.

“She should be there,” Mary Lou said of Arlene Foster. “She and the DUP have a view.”

“It would be unthinkable for us to sit idly by and to simply let all of this play out – we don’t have that option.

“I think everybody – including the DUP and Arlene – understand that.”

The Dublin deputy said that analysts are talking in terms of the Border economy being “devastated” by Brexit.

“With Brexit we now have real and imminent threats to our economic and social life and the fabric of our communities, particularly Border communities.”

The Sinn Féin deputy leader rejected the claim that the forum will be little more than a talking shop condemning Brexit.

“This cannot be just a talking shop or a platform simply for negativity.

“Brexit is one of the biggest political challenges we will all be facing in our lifetime.

“This is the forum where we collectively tease out where we’re at and how we respond to protect everybody’s interests.

“This is not a matter of North versus South or a case of Orange versus Green. If you’re a farmer in Fermanagh, your future in farming looms large with Brexit. Whether you are a unionist farmer or a republican farmer – you are a farmer.

“I would say to Arlene Foster that there is a place for her at the table in this forum and it is within the forum that points of view can be given and arguments made.”

Mary Lou McDonald said that maybe the DUP will reconsider their rejection of the forum and take part.