All-Island Civic Dialogue must focus on alternatives to Brexit, says Gerry Adams

THE “All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit” should not be about “a hard Brexit or a soft Brexit”, or the consequences of Westminster’s withdrawal from the EU, but looking at alternatives, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said in his leader’s address to the event opened by Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Wednesday.

“That’s not beyond our collective wisdom,” Gerry Adams said.

The dialogue must also be about securing designated special status for the North, the former MP for West Belfast and now TD for the Border county of Louth said.

“That threatens no one’s constitutional preference and this state, as a continuing member of the EU, has the right – and in our view the obligation – to bring forward such a proposal.”

Rather than wait to see what the British Government does, the Sinn Féin leader said:

“We need to be proactive about setting out alternatives – constitutional, political and otherwise – that protect and promote the national interests of our island.

“That means acting nationally, in the accurate and meaningful meaning of that word.

“It means defending Ireland’s interests, and defending the rights of citizens.

“So, we must be about securing designated special status for the North.”