16/03/2017

Govt Assurances On Border 'Will Not Allay Fears'

The British Government's reassurances on the border "will not allay fears", Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd has said.

Mr O'Dowd said: "Attempts by the British government's Brexit secretary David Davis to reassure people about the prospect of a hard border in Ireland post-Brexit were laughable.

"He claims there will be a digital border and that his government will develop the technology to manage it. But given his government's track record of trying and failing to develop bespoke computer systems his comments will not reassure anyone.

"And his comments are all the more ridiculous because it won't be up to Britain to decide what any EU border will look like. That decision will be taken by the 27 member states.

"There is a genuine fear across Ireland that the British government's reckless Brexit agenda will lead to a hard border to the detriment of the economy across the island. That is one of the reasons the majority of people here voted to remain in the EU.

"The only alternative is to secure designated special status for the north within the EU."

(MH/JP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 June 2018
MPs To Debate On Legislation To Leave The EU
MPs are to take part in a two-day debate on legislation to leave the EU. They are expected to debate 14 amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill made by the House of Lords. Prime Minister Theresa May said she is "trying to negotiate the best deal for Britain".
16 August 2017
UK Govt: No Checkpoints Between NI And RoI Following Brexit
The UK government has said it does not want any checkpoints between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) following Brexit. A new paper setting out proposals for a future customs relationship with the European Union has been unveiled by the Government.
23 April 2018
SDLP Welcomes Border Force Removing Irish Passport Holder Restriction
The Border Force agency has been accused of "covering the British Government's tracks" for its "shoddy thoughtless policy". SDLP Brexit Spokesperson Claire Hanna MLA made the comments following reports that Border Force have now rolled back on its bar on Irish passport holders.
13 March 2019
Govt Rule Out Irish Border Tariffs In No-Deal Brexit
Tariffs will not be applied to goods entering Northern Ireland from the Republic in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The details were published by the government this morning, Wednesday 13 March, stating what will happen if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal.
20 February 2019
Growing Brexit Concern Among EU Nationals Living In NI
A Sinn Fein MLA has said there is growing concern among EU nationals living in Northern Ireland about the impact Brexit will have on them. The UK is set to leave the EU on 29 March, only 37 days from now, and Parliament is yet to secure a withdrawal deal.