·         Executive have not submitted Brexit plan to UK Government

·         O Muilleoir comments hypocritical

·         SF/DUP asleep at the wheel on Brexit

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt, has criticised comments from Sinn Fein’sMairtin O Muilleoir that the UK Government has not provided enough information on Brexit, as ‘hypocrisy.’

Mike Nesbitt said:

“It is the absolute height of hypocrisy that Mairtin O Muilleoir can criticise the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for not providing enough information on the impact of leaving the EU. The now failed Northern Ireland Executive, which he served as Finance Minister, has not even submitted a Brexit plan to the UK Government.

“Both the Scottish and Welsh Governments have submitted substantive policy submissions to the Joint Ministerial Committee. What has the Northern Ireland Executive produced?  Nothing, apart from a two page letter which is barely worth mentioning. How can the UK Government possibly know what the priorities of the Northern Ireland Executive are post-Brexit?

“In the aftermath of the referendum result, the Ulster Unionist Party established a Brexit Advisory Panel consisting of representatives from business,community & voluntary sector, farming & agri-food, anduniversities, amongst others. Unfortunately, the Executive has not listened to those sectors most likely to be impacted by Brexit.

“Back in September, the Ulster Unionist Party produced our ‘Vision for Northern Ireland outside the European Union’ which addressed areas of concern, but also looked to maximise the opportunities of Brexit. We presented our document directly to the Prime Minister, to the Department for Exiting the European Union, to the Leader of the House of Commons and to several other prominent figures in the UK Government.

“Regarding the issue of the border, we have called for imaginative ideas to ensure the Common Travel Area is maintained and to guarantee that Northern Ireland citizens do not face a hard border when travelling to other parts of the United Kingdom. Inspiration could be taken from the Calais model, where the UK Government part fund immigration control in France, or how the United States operates customs and security controls at Dublin Airport.

“WhileMairtin and his Executive colleagues were asleep at the wheel, the Ulster Unionist Party has been working to address the implications of Brexit. Unlike the DUP and Sinn Fein we will not be found wanting in promoting the interests of Northern Ireland.”

ENDS