17 September 2018
Irish government must stand firm on 'backstop' - O'Neill
“The Irish Government, as an EU member state which is party to this negotiation, has to stand firm on the backstop agreed between the British government and the EU last December as this is the only insurance policy the people of the North can reply upon." - Michelle O'Neill
The Irish government must stand by the Brexit 'backstop' option agreed between the EU and the British government, the Deputy Leader of Sinn Féin has said.
Michelle O'Neill made the call amid suggestions that the 'backstop' option - which would see the North remain in the customs union and significant elements of the single market - may be watered down in an attempt to reach a Brexit agreement in the coming weeks.
Reports from several news outlets suggested the EU is 'redrafting' the backstop and that the EU's Chief Brexit Negotiator, Michel Barnier, is preparing a new version designed to make it easier for the British government to agree with.
British Prime Minister Theresa May also said her plans for Brexit, the Chequer's plan, was the only proposal likely to secure an agreement.
Michelle O'Neill, however, said the backstop as already agreed between the EU and the British government cannot be diluted and must instead be built upon.
"We need to see the backstop maintained and indeed built upon to ensure the north remains in the customs union and the single market but we also need to see it enhanced to include rights protections.
“That is the message I will be taking to Michel Barnier when I meet him alongside representatives of other parties ahead of the October summit," she said.
The Sinn Féin Deputy Leader also said the Chequer's Plan falls short of the 'backstop.'
“The Chequers Plan put forward by Theresa May would not resolve the issues around the border and protecting the rights of people in the north of Ireland.
“It also falls considerably short of the backstop option which her government has already accepted and agreed to.
“Theresa May’s focus remains on the civil war in her own party instead of focusing on negotiations with the EU.
“More than 18 months into these negotiations and with time running out Theresa May still shows scant regard for Ireland, for rights, our economy or our Agreements," she explained.
Michelle O'Neill said the Irish government now have a key role to play in protecting the 'backstop' and the rights of Irish citizens.
“The Taoiseach said a few months ago that citizens in the north would never be left behind again.
“The Irish Government, as an EU member state which is party to this negotiation, has to stand firm on the backstop agreed between the British government and the EU last December as this is the only insurance policy the people of the North can reply upon," she said.