Dublin has a duty to ensure ‘special status’ for north

Posted by Jim on April 1, 2017

By Michelle O’Neill

The people of the north clearly voted to see their future in the
European Union in the referendum last June.

Those who voted remain came from all walks of life. They were
nationalists, unionists, republicans and others.

They did so because it is in their best interests politically, socially
and economically and because they did not want to see any return of a
hard border on this island.

Even before Article 50 was triggered, it was apparent that the north
would be hit hardest by the British government’s reckless Brexit agenda,
which offers nothing to the people of the north.

The Brexit referendum was driven by the narrow, right-wing interests of
the most hardline elements of the British Tory party and the far right
of UKIP. These parties have never shown any regard for the north of
Ireland or its people.

Since the referendum, Theresa May and her government have done nothing
to indicate this has changed. In fact they continue to blatantly ignore
the democratic will of the majority of the people of the north and the
parties mandated to be their voice.

Now that Article 50 has been triggered a period of what is likely to be
long and protracted negotiations will begin. The north will not be
represented at those negotiations.

Regardless of whether the political institutions were up and running, we
still would have no voice at the negotiating table and the Tories would
continue to attempt to ignore our views, just like Scotland.

Sinn Fein called for, and secured an all-Ireland forum to examine the
impact of Brexit on the entire island economy and our key sectors in
agri-food, energy, trade, higher education and so on.

This is not a done deal. It is the start of a period of negotiations at
European Council level involving all EU member states, of which the
Irish state is one.

It is my strong belief that there is an alternative for Ireland that is
real and achievable and which serves our best interests as a peripheral
but competitive island region on the edge of Europe.

We have developed a case for designated special status for the north
within the EU, which would allow the will of the people of the north to
be respected, retain access to the single market, protect jobs and
workers’ rights and the right of all our people to decide on their own
future including Irish unity, as set out in the Good Friday Agreement
and the principle of consent.

Both the Assembly and the Dail have passed motions calling for the
unique circumstances of the north to be recognised in relation to
Brexit.

The Irish government now has a moral duty and a political responsibility
to act in the national interest of all Irish citizens and act on the
Dail motion.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny needs to make it clear that his government will
formally adopt designated special status as a negotiating position when
the Brexit talks begin and work to persuade other member states of its
merits.

Brexit is an English problem which requires an Irish solution.

Every day more and more people from across a range of sectors, business,
community, tourism and education are realising the hugely negative
consequences Brexit will have on our hard-won progress.

Across the north, particularly in border areas, thousands of people have
taken to the streets to protest against the British government’s Brexit
agenda.

Today, as Theresa May triggered Article 50, demonstrations were staged
in both Belfast and Dublin.

Sinn Fein believes that the only credible approach is for the north to
receive designated special status within the EU.

We have been on a diplomatic offensive across Europe making our case to
the key decision makers in the Brexit process.

In order to secure designated special status people need to mobilise,
continue to make their voices heard and build support to ensure their
democratically expressed right to remain is recognized.