British PM’s Brexit ‘wish list’ threatens hard Border across Ireland

» Michael McMonagle

‘The North of Ireland needs to be granted special status within the European Union’

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Theresa May’s Brexit plans outlined today in London would result in a hard Border across the island of Ireland, Sinn Féin Assembly member John O’Dowd has said.

Theresa May, speaking in Lancaster House on Tuesday morning, set out her government’s proposals for the Brexit negotiations once Article 50 is triggered.

In her speech, Theresa May confirmed that she intends to take Britain out of the Single Market, as well as out of the EU.

The Tory Prime Minister also said Britain is also likely to leave the customs union.

Sinn Féin Brexit spokesperson John O’Dowd MLA said that such a move would create a hard border on the island of Ireland.

“Theresa May’s ‘plan’ today clearly shows she is ignoring the views of the people of the North,” he said.

“It is a wish list which does not have the agreement of the people of the North to move forward.

“Her intentions to leave the single market and her indecisiveness about the customs union will have a detrimental impact on the economy in the North and across island.

“Exiting the single market and customs union would create a hard Border on the island of Ireland.

“Soft words from Theresa May mean nothing,” John O’Dowd said.

The Upper Bann MLA called on the Irish Government to act in the best interests of all Irish citizens and challenge the British Government’s agenda.

“Sinn Féin’s position is clear: 56% of the people here voted to remain and those voices need to be heard.

“The North of Ireland needs to be granted special status within the European Union. The Irish Government needs to be working towards that goal.”

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says that Theresa May’s speech makes a second Scottish independence referendum “more likely”.

“Scotland did not vote for the direction set out in the Prime Minister’s speech today – and it is not in our national interests.

“For all her warm words, it is now clear that the UK is heading for a hard Brexit, which threatens to be economically catastrophic.

“Decisions are being driven not by the rational best interests of the country but by the obsessions of the hard Right of the Tory Party.

“It is also becoming clear that a more fundamental issue is emerging – not just whether the UK is in or out of the EU but what kind of country it is going to be.

“The Prime Minister gave the game away towards the end of her speech when she talked of the potential for the UK to become a low-wage, low-tax, deregulated economy.”