SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said a Brexit represents the biggest immediate threat to the economy of Northern Ireland and to the island as a whole.
He was speaking ahead of delivering a keynote address in Brussels on last night at an event organised by the Party of European Socialists,
Mr Eastwood also said that any result in Northern Ireland should be respected separately from the rest of the UK result and that a Brexit would fundamentally undermine successive Anglo-Irish Agreements.
He has urged the Taoiseach to represent the interests of the whole island on this issue and to stand by those Agreements when meeting the British Prime Minister David Cameron next week.
Said the SDLP leader: “It appears more and more likely that we will be faced with a ‘Brexit’ referendum this year, possibly as early as the summer.
“I’ll be outlining in Brussels the devastating impact that a ‘Brexit’ would have on Northern Ireland.
“A ‘Brexit’ is a threat to farming families, a threat to our business community and a threat to our exports.
“In the case of Northern Ireland it is also a threat to the multiple arrangements and Agreements between the islands of Ireland and Britain.
“There is a huge amount at stake.
“I will be meeting with the Taoiseach in Dublin on Saturday. I will urge him to represent the interests of the entire island, not just the 26 counties, when speaking with the British Prime Minister in Downing Street next week.
“A Brexit would undermine and destabilise the fabric of successive Anglo-Irish Agreements. It would undermine and destabilise our North-South institutions. It would resurrect borders and resurrect barriers for business.
“As co-guarantor of those Anglo-Irish Agreements, the Taoiseach has a role and a duty to represent the interests of the North on this issue.
“The selfish and sectional interests of some in the Tory party cannot be the only voice steering this decision and debate.
“The SDLP has a clear view on what should happen. We will be fighting for the referendum vote in the North to be respected separately.
“The vote of Northern Ireland citizens should be respected separately. After all, we have most to lose.”
