Ulster Unionist Leader Robin Swann, has said that comments from the Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, that the Irish Government is seeking special status for Northern Ireland after Brexit, are unhelpful.

Robin Swann MLA said:

“There is no doubting that Northern Ireland has unique needs in the Brexit debate. Since the referendum result Ulster Unionists have been pro-active in making the case both in London and Brussels, so that the issues impacting Northern Ireland are on the agenda for negotiations between the United Kingdom and the EU.

“We have also been clear that so-called ‘special status’ for Northern Ireland within the EU, would lead to immigration controls for Northern Ireland citizens when they travel to other parts of the United Kingdom, and would create barriers with our largest trading partner, Great Britain. We are totally opposed to creating a border up the middle of the Irish Sea.

“It is disappointing that the new Irish Foreign Minister, has echoed the calls from Sinn Fein and others for ‘special status’, which are a thinly veiled attempt to break up the Union. As the Belfast Agreement makes clear, Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom until its people say otherwise. Special status would undermine the principle of consent enshrined in the Agreement.

“With the Republic of Ireland’s economy intrinsically linked to that of the United Kingdom, perhaps Minister Coveney would be better served seeking special arrangements for his country after Brexit, which may be one way to overcome some of the challenges which Brexit presents.

“The future relationship between Northern Ireland and the European Union will be determined by the UK Government and political representatives from Northern Ireland.”

ENDS