· We must not see a border established between GB and NI
· Lack of NI Executive is a serious problem
· All Northern Ireland parties must be listened to
Ulster Unionists, Tom Elliott MP and Lord Empey today met with key figures in the Department for Exiting the European Union and the Northern Ireland Officeto discuss ongoing issues regarding Brexit.
The Ulster Unionist delegation met with Robin Walker MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union; Lord Bridges, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union; and Lord Dunlop, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Northern Ireland Office.
Tom Elliott MP said:
“UUP colleagues and I felt that it was of crucial importance to continue to maintain the channels of dialogue between Northern Ireland and the UK Government as the collapse of the DUP/SF Executive has left us without a voice on Brexit matters.
“This week Ulster Unionist Peers helped progress the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill through to its Committee Stage in the Lords. It is pertinent to constantly remind the Government of our clear priorities for Northern Ireland as we prepare for the upcoming period of negotiations with the EU.
“This morning, Lord Empey and I met the Commons and Lords Brexit Department representatives to ensure that the UK Government has no intention to create physical borders at GB ports and airports which would effectively relegate people in Northern Ireland to second-class British citizens. We were told that the Prime Minister’s commitment to an ever closer and stronger United Kingdom is unwavering. With this in mind the Government is not contemplating any instance which impedes travel between NI and GB for UK citizens.
“Lord Empey and I welcomed comments during the meeting from all three Government representatives that they acknowledged the need to engage with all political parties in Northern Ireland especially if we enter a period of Direct Rule. In these times of uncertainty in local politics, the people of Northern Ireland can be certain that their UUP representatives will continue to lobby the Government at every stage of the EU negotiations.”
Lord Empey said:
“Today’s meeting provided a great opportunity to air our aims and concerns. I was very glad to hear Mr. Walker assert that Brexit will not damage or tamper with any aspect of the Belfast Agreement. As co-architects of the settlement that brought an end to decades of violence, we are reassured that it will be protected at all costs, something which is was affirmed by the High Court and Supreme Court
“I made it abundantly clear that Lord Hain’s proposed amendment to the Article 50 legislation which relates to maintaining an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is in principle something that our party strongly supports. However, the wording of his amendment leaves the border issue open to constraint and manipulation to those wishing to stifle our Government’s ability to properly negotiate with the EU.
“Of added concern is Lord Hain's publicly stated opposition to an electronic border. This would remove a vital tool in the Government's arsenal in ensuring there is no physical hard border. Such a move would be imprudent and could result in unintended consequences and certainly has no place on the face of the Bill. Also, the amendment explicitly refers to the provisions of the Belfast Agreement which as I have stated are in no way impeded by our withdrawal from the EU. As such, my colleague Lord Rogan and I will not be voting in support of this needless amendment next week.”
ENDS