Sinn Fein Urge Irish Govt To Stand Firm On Backstop

Sinn Fein is urging Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Irish Government to stand firm on the border backstop, as Westminster has been plunged into disarray following the rejection of UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement.

Sinn Fein Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile said that Ireland's people, economy and peace process all need protection at this uncertain time.

The rejected deal included a backstop provision that would protect against a hard border with Northern Ireland in any event, but the Democratic Unionists have repeatedly voiced their opposition to the mechanism which they believe weakens the region's union with Great Britain.

Mr Ó Donnghaile said: "With every day that passes - we lurch closer to the possibility of a 'no-deal' scenario and the return to the kind of hard border we had in the past.

"Yesterday, prior to the vote in Westminster, the Tánaiste briefed parties on contingency plans in the event of that situation transpiring. Those contingency plans focus primarily on East-West matters. These are important to protect trade and commerce between our islands.

"The Tánaiste said that the legislation required to deal with these matters will not be published until the 22nd February. Sinn Féin will assist in crafting and passing all necessary legislation but the government are coming to this very late in the day.

"We believe that the government needs to revise this schedule and we need to see the legislation much earlier. The Taoiseach has had nothing to say on a contingency plan to protect our all island economy, to protect our citizens rights and the Good Friday Agreement in the event of a crash Brexit."

The Sinn Fein TD urged Mr Varadkar and Mr Coveney, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to fight off any attempt to "move away from or dilute the backstop".

"We need to say clearly to the British that if they wish to Brexit then that's a matter for themselves but any Brexit agreement needs to recognise, understand and protect the people, the economy and the peace process on this island," he concluded.



(JG/CM)