SINN Féin’s expected candidate to fight the Foyle constituency in June’s General Election Elisha McCallion has said her party has laid out a clear path to secure designated special status for the north within the EU.
Ms McCallion is expected to be confirmed as the party’s General Election candidate following a meeting in Derry on Thursday night.
At this moment, she is the only candidate for the job of trying to take the Foyle seat from sitting SDLP MP Mark Durkan.
Speaking after the launch of a Sinn Féin Brexit document, Elisha McCallion MLA said:
“Sinn Féin has launched its second position paper on Brexit, with a specific focus on this Saturday’s special meeting of the European Council of 27 member states where the guidelines for the Brexit negotiations will be adopted.
“The guidelines will establish the framework for negotiations and set out the overall EU positions and principles during negotiations.
“Sinn Féin is opposed to Brexit, the border and this reckless Tory agenda, which will have devastating effects for the island of Ireland and our people, businesses, farmers, workers and communities.
“The people of Derry and the North voted to Remain because it is in their best interests politically and economically.
“Since that time Sinn Féin has argued that the only credible approach is for the north to be designated a special status within the EU and for the whole island of Ireland to remain within the EU together.
“As the European Council meet on Saturday Sinn Féin is arguing for a declaration from the European Council that it will argue for designated special status for the north within the EU.
“This would involve seeking continued access to the Single Market, Common Travel Area, EU funding streams and institutions.
“The Taoiseach Enda Kenny must enter any forthcoming negotiations to defend the democratic mandate of the people to remain within the EU and act in Ireland’s national interest.
“This means that the Irish Government must now formally adopt the negotiating policy position of designated special status within the and for the North so that the whole island of Ireland can remain within the EU together,” she added.
