Hazzard urges EU to stand firm on Brexit

Hazzard urges EU to stand firm on Brexit

16 October 2019

SOUTH Down MP Chris Hazzard has asked senior European politicians to ensure that the EU stands firm on protecting the interests of Ireland from Brexit. 

Last week, the MP was in Brussels for a series of engagements with MEPs, Embassy officials and Brexit negotiators in the European Parliament. Mr Hazzard also met with members of the Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group. 

He said that as part of the discussions, the Sinn Fein delegation he was part of made it clear to MEPs that the EU “need to remain steadfast” in support for the Good Friday Agreement and the backstop. 

“The message we are hearing from MEPs is that they reject any hardening of the border, any undermining of the Good Friday Agreement and Tory/DUP attempts to wreck our economy,” Mr Hazzard continued.

“We expressed our deep appreciation for the strong stand that MEPs have taken in support of our people, peace process and economic future.”

Before leaving for Brussels, Mr Hazzard also gave his reaction to the meeting between the Prime Minister Boris Johnston Taoiseach leo Varadkar.

The MP said: “Now is the time for steadiness; negotiations are at a very sensitive point. Any deal must have legal and enduring guarantees that deliver for Ireland.

“We’re seeing very little detail from the meeting. What we do know is that there is no Brexit scenario that is good for the people of this island, but we’ve always said that a deal can be done. There is a viable option on the table in the form of the Withdrawal Agreement which all parties support, with the exception of the DUP.”

Mr Hazzard said that the coming days will be critical, with any deal including the “backstop as the bottom line” in protecting Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. 

The MP added: “No veto can be given to unionism on protections for Ireland. It would be unthinkable to place Irish livelihoods, our economy and peace at the hands of DUP Brexiteers. Ultimately we need a deal that delivers for Ireland.”