Brexit: UK Govt Needs To Find A Solution To Resolve Irish Border Issue

The European Parliament's Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, said the UK Government needs to find a solution to resolve the Irish border issue.

Mr Verhofstadt was at Stormont in Belfast meeting with NI political leaders.

He also suggested that NI could remain in the customs union and single market after Brexit.

The SDLP said the meeting was very "constructive".

Leader of the party, Colum Eastwood, said: "The SDLP has long advocated that the unique circumstances and unique challenges that we face here demand a unique solution. It is very welcome to have a voice at the centre of the European Union that supports and will advocate that position.

"It is very unfortunate that we are left to have those discussions today while we are stuck in a political vacuum.

"It is complete madness that there is an economic and political tsunami coming towards us and we do not have an Executive in place. A point Mr Verhofstadt very clearly agreed with us on.

"The biggest show in town, the biggest issue on this continent is Brexit. We need a strong voice to fight it.

"Our message, and notably that from Guy Verhofstadt was, if we want to protect our interests, if we want to stop a hard border and we want to shelter the people on this island from Brexit - we need the institutions back up and running."

During the discussions Sinn Fein Northern Leader Michelle O'Neill told Mr Verhofstadt that it would be disastrous for the island of Ireland if the North is excluded from the single market and customs union.

She said: "We simply cannot withstand any exclusion from the single market and customs union, allow the return of borders of the past or deny citizens access to the European Courts of Justice.

"So there is an urgent need for new thinking and that isn’t likely to come from the Tories who are clearly in disarray and simply see Ireland as collateral damage in their reckless Brexit agenda.

"Thankfully, the European side is listening to our concerns. That is evidenced by the fact they have made Ireland a priority in their negotiations with the British Government. We greatly welcome that and will continue our intensive engagement right across Europe in the weeks and months ahead."

DUP leader Arlene Foster said: "On future customs ties the DUP position is clear. We want to secure an outcome that keeps the border open and seamless for businesses involved in cross-border trade. However this solution must be part of a UK-wide solution. We will not countenance any customs deal that cuts Northern Ireland adrift from our primary marketplace. That was the message we delivered to Mr Verhofstadt.

"Whether it be in terms of transition or future trade relations with those in the Single Market, Northern Ireland must be treated in the same fashion as the rest of the UK. This makes sense to our exporters. Great Britain accounts for 73% of trade flows in and out of Belfast Harbour. The latest NI manufacturing statistics show that sales to GB are worth six times more than those to the Republic of Ireland, and for local agri-food the percentage of sales within the UK stands at 75%.

"It is clear that whilst the failed prospect of a special designated status for our Province may be attractive politically to some, it would come at a heavy price to many sectors of the local economy. We warned Mr Verhofstadt that those in Brussels with genuine concern for our citizens, for the future of the border and for political progress should not allow themselves to be blinded from this reality by those factions who simply wish to use the Brexit process as a way of attacking our place in the United Kingdom."

(CD)