Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy recently said that Special Designated Status for the North of Ireland within the European Union is a live project and that all Irish parties must be unite in pursuing it.
Carthy’s comments followed a news conference in which EU’s chief negotiator, on Brexit Michel Barnier, said that the EU will prepare a draft of the British withdrawal treaty that envisions the North of Ireland remaining in the customs union.
Matt Carthy said:
“When Sinn Féin MEPs first suggested that North of Ireland could remain in Customs Union after Brexit we were accused of grandstanding and told that it was an unrealistic position by other parties including Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
“Following the announcement by Michel Barnier, it is clear that Special Status for the North is a live project. It has been evident for anyone who has examined this matter that the only way in which a hardening of the Irish border can be avoided is for all of Ireland to remain part of the Single Market and Customs Union. Anything less risks the imposition of border controls and the undermining of the Good Friday Agreement.
“It is therefore now time for all Irish political parties and the Irish Government to unite in pursuing that goal.”
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