Border Backstop Is The Brexit Solution-Alliance

The Alliance Party has spoken out about the controversial backstop, which they believe is a pragmatic solution to the possibility of a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit.

Stephen Farry MLA's comments come after the chief spokesperson of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas said it was "obvious" there would be a hard border on the island of Ireland if the UK leaves the EU without securing a deal.

The Brexit deadline remains set for 29 March 2019, while the backstop is a proposed insurance policy designed to keep Northern Ireland in the same customs territory as the EU in order to prevent checks on goods crossing the border.

The provision formed part of Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit Withdrawal Agreement which was rejected in Parliament by an overwhelming majority on Tuesday 15 January.

The Alliance Party deputy leader said Ms Schinas' comments should not come as a surprise to anyone.

"If Northern Ireland is part of a different customs space from the EU, then there is an inevitable need for the EU to respect the integrity of the single market.

"There are of course requirements the UK would have under WTO rules to police all of its borders equally under the non-discrimination principle between all its trading partners. To do otherwise would be a breach of international law and would further undermine the credibility of the UK."

Mr Farry continued: "Any new border on the island of Ireland should be unthinkable. The current problems and uncertainty arise from the decision of the UK to leave the EU and the government bears a particular responsibility to find a workable solution. The current backstop proposal achieves this and should be supported by all."

The backstop remains one of the key sticking points in Brexit negotiations, with the future of Northern Ireland's border with the Republic unclear.

It comes only days after a North/South body revealed that cross-border trade is at an "all time high", standing at £6.11 billion in 2017 after continually growing by 4% each year since 1998.

Aidan Gough of InterTrade Ireland said participating in cross-border exporting is making an "important contribution" to the performance of individual businesses, local rural economies, and the border economy on the island.

"Brexit will affect firms on both sides of the border," he added.



(JG/CM)