SDLP leader Colum Eastwood
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has welcomed the assurance from the Minister for European Affairs that, as proposed by the SDLP, a Forum will be convened to consider the implications of Brexit for the Island of Ireland.
Last week, the SDLP called for an All-Party Forum to consider issues and implications arising from the Referendum result.
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Dara Murphy confirmed that Enda Kenny believes that a focus on areas of common concern for the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic is needed.
He also confirmed that this can be best done by putting in place a Northern Ireland Forum, where voices from this Island can be addressed in a unified way.
Mr Eastwood said: “I welcome yesterday’s assurance from the Minister for European Affairs that a Forum will be formed to focus on areas of common concern for the people of this Island.
“Once the result of the Referendum became clear, the SDLP called on the Irish Government to convene an All-Party Forum for parties North and South to consider the issues and implications arising from the referendum result.
“Therefore, I welcome yesterday’s assurance from the Minister for European Affairs that such a forum will be formed.
“We believe that it is necessary to consider the issues and implications, not least in terms of helping to develop optimum coherence and consensus on how to minimise the adverse economic fallout and ensure growth on the island. We must ensure that any border which is erected is only operational around the island of Ireland, not across it.
“This week we have had confirmation that neither the British Government nor the Northern Ireland Executive have put in place contingency plans to deal with the fallout of the referendum result.
“Here on the island of Ireland, we must map the challenges, purposes and priorities that could most affect us, North and South, rather than following the impulses and bad decisions of the British Government.
“Last Thursday, the people of Northern Ireland voted for our position within the European Union to remain the same.
“We have made it clear that the British Government cannot drag Northern Ireland out of the European Union against its will. We will look for every device possible to make sure that happens, and we will use this Forum to investigate the possibilities.”
