- UK Gov position paper to be welcomed
- NI politicians should be focussed on getting Executive in place
Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:
“The position of HMG on achieving an as seamless as possible transition from the current European Union relationship between the UK and the Republic of Ireland is to be welcomed. Echoing the Ulster Unionist Party’s previous calls and from our own Brexit paper, it is good to see the proposals around the Customs Partnership Agreement, the transit of goods across the UK, as part of a Common Transit Convention, the establishment of Authorised Economic Operators and achieving common veterinary standards across of these Islands. That should be warmly welcomed by the EU, the Republic of Ireland Government and by sensible commentators.
“It is also noteworthy that the issue of energy security is being clearly addressed for the first time. Indeed, the fact that 40% of the Republic’s gas comes from Great Britain, and the volume of Irish trade with the UK, shows clearly that the Irish government needs to make a strong case with the EU for its own need for ‘special status’.
“The calls from Irish Republic and nationalist politicians for ‘Irish Unity’ as a response to Brexit are clearly totally unnecessary and provocative. Instead, all Northern Ireland politicians should be concentrating on getting the Assembly back up and running and getting a voice for Northern Ireland at the table – Republic of Ireland politicians need to be concentrating on making sure that the EU makes the Brexit transition as smooth as possible.”