Brexit not just an issue for the North, Gerry Adams tells EU chief negotiator in historic Dáil and Seanad sitting

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

‘It is clearly not in interests of the people of this island, whatever their background or views, to have one part of the island outside of the EU and the other part inside’

BREXIT is not just an issue for the North, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams TD said in the Dáil on Thursday after the EU’s Brexit chief negotiator addressed a special joint sitting of the Dáil and Seanad at Leinster House.

Brexit “will adversely affect our entire island - if we let it”, the former MP for West Belfast and now TD for Louth said, adding:

“It is vital its challenges are met on that basis.”

Michel Barnier is the first non-head of state or prime minister to have made an address to the joint houses of the Irish Parliament.

Present with Sinn Féin’s TDs and senators were Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin MPs and MEPs.

Gerry Adams was among the party leaders to follow the EU representative’s address.

Gerry Adams said:

“It is clear that Brexit will have a serious and detrimental effect on Irish jobs and businesses, in particular in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.

“It is already having a major negative impact.”

It is also clearly not in interests of the people of this island, whatever their background or views, to have one part of the island outside of the EU and the other part inside, the Sinn Féin leader said.

He said the aim of the European Union should be to prevent a land frontier between the EU and Britain on the island of Ireland.

To achieve these goals, the North of Ireland should be afforded ‘Designated Special Status Within the European Union’.

“Ireland should also have a veto on any agreement reached between the EU and the British Government that does not include this position,” Gerry Adams said.

“Designated Special Status is the best and only way to ensure that the entire island of Ireland remains within the European Union.”

The Sinn Féin leader contended that it is an imaginative solution that addresses the complexities of the problem.

It does not affect the constitutional status of the North which will only be changed by a referendum, he said.

He added:

“Designated Special Status within the EU is the position endorsed by this Dáil.

“It is endorsed by the majority of MLAs in the Northern Assembly.

“It also recognises that the people of the North voted to remain part of the European Union.

“It is the solution being advocated by representatives of our Border communities,” welcoming some of them in the public gallery for the historic occasion.

The Tory Government in England should not be allowed to reject the ‘Remain’ vote and drag the North out of the EU against the democratic wishes of citizens, the Sinn Féin leader said.

Designated Special Status for the North within the European Union is not about a hard Brexit or a soft Brexit, Gerry Adams said.

“It’s about the best interests of our economy, our Peace Process and our people.

“It is also a democratic imperative.

“It’s about retaining the freedom of movement of goods, people and services on the island of Ireland.”

Any restriction on the freedom of movement would represent a hardening of the Border, he said.

This would severely damage social and economic cohesion.

“It would be unacceptable to people living in Border communities and to people right across the island.”

Special status would ensure the North’s trading relationship with the rest of Ireland and the EU – particularly in relation to business, tourism, the all-Ireland energy market, agriculture and agri-foods – will be maintained, the Louth TD argued.

“It is about allowing all of Ireland to remain in the Customs Union, the Single Market and under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

“It’s about maintaining the European Convention on Human Rights.

“It’s about protecting the rights of citizens in the North who have a right to Irish citizenship and therefore to citizenship of the European Union.

“Access to EU rights and services across employment, workers’ conditions, social security and healthcare must also be protected.

“None of this is beyond our collective wisdom or ability.”

But, he added critically:

“It requires political flexibility from the EU.”

● Sinn Féin TDs, senators, MPs and MEPs at Leinster House ahead of Michel Barnier’s historic address

EARLIER in his speech, Gerry Adams noted that Sinn Féin campaigned against Irish membership of the EEC, the forerunner of the EU, in 1973. 

“Since then, every European treaty has taken further powers from the Irish state,” he said.

“Sinn Féin wants a different type of European Union. 

“We want a social Europe which promotes peace, demilitarisation, economic and social justice, international solidarity, and greater democratic accountability,” he said, not one wedded to neoliberal policies.