SDLP Council Group Leader Martin Reilly was pleased to welcome the European Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier to Derry earlier today to meet with concerned businesses and the wider community around the implications of Brexit.The Councillor for Derry & Strabane said:
“As a border constituency it is important for EU officials to see first-hand the implications of a possible hard border on the Island of Ireland for areas like Derry.
“The SDLP welcome Mr Barnier’s willingness to engage with Northern communities during the political, social and economic uncertainty that Brexit poses to citizens right across Northern Ireland.
“It’s well past time that the British Government realised the challenges Brexit poses to our way of life here.
“The reassurances from the EU and from the Irish Government are very much welcome but now we need cast iron guarantees there can be no border here.
“The only way to ensure that is to secure that we remain in the single market and the customs union.
“The SDLP is leading that campaign across these islands and with our PES partners in Europe. It’s time that all others parties here joined us”
