20/09/2017

NI Political Leaders To Meet With Brexit Negotiator

Political leaders in Northern Ireland are to meet with the European Parliament's Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt.

He is on a two-day visit to Ireland and is expected to address a joint committee of the Irish Parliament on Thursday, 21 September.

Sinn Féin leader in the North, Michelle O'Neill MLA, said she will continue to press the case for NI to be granted special status to remain in the European Union.

She said: "We have been robustly arguing the case for special status right across Europe and it's clear from the EU's prioritisation of Ireland's needs within the Brexit negotiations that our efforts are producing results.

"There is clearly now a firm understanding among the other EU nations that Brexit will be disastrous for the island of Ireland. It will potentially decimate many economic sectors and undermine peace agreements which the European Union have played a pivotal role in consolidating and supporting. 

"The only credible way to prevent that scenario is for the north to be granted designated special status within the EU in line with the wishes of the majority who voted to remain in the referendum.

"That is the message that we will be making to Guy Verhofstadt and will continue to press at every opportunity throughout Europe in the weeks and months ahead."

(CD/JP)

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