The Ulster Unionist Party has written to the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, in light of the draft withdrawal agreement published by the European Commission.

The letter, signed jointly by the Ulster Unionist Leader, Robin Swann MLA, Party Chairman Lord Empey and Jim Nicholson MEP, says that the principle of consent cannot be ignored and that the “back stop” scenario outlined in the draft withdrawal agreement would represent a “major breach” of the Belfast Agreement.

STARTS

Leo Varadkar TD

Taoiseach

Department of the Taoiseach
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2
D02 R583

Friday 1 March 2018

Dear Taoiseach,

We are writing to you in light of the recent draft withdrawal agreement published by the European Commission.

We are again raising our concerns about the direction of travel of both your Government and the EU Commission in the current negotiations.

We have heard from you, the Tánaiste and other representatives of your Government that you seek to protect the Belfast Agreement.  We have made it clear to your Government on many occasions that our Party seeks to protect the Agreement too. 

However, it is clear that if the “back stop” scenario outlined in the document were to become a reality, it would be a major breach of the 1998 Agreement. 

Much has been said about the 56% in Northern Ireland who voted remain and the need to protect their interests.   However, Unionists in Northern Ireland who voted remain in the referendum did not vote to leave the United Kingdom.  Indeed, those who voted leave did not do so to leave our union with England, Scotland and Wales. 

We are sure you will understand our frustration that it appears there is an amount of cherry picking going on when it comes to which elements of the Belfast Agreement must be protected at all costs.  To unionists it seems that the principle of consent, the foundation stone of the agreement, appears to be overlooked. 

We have raised our concerns about the growing polarization of society in Northern Ireland.  The vacuum that has been created through the absence of devolved government, coupled with the ongoing negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU is escalating tensions.

We would suggest you consider this in your approach to these negotiations. 

Unionists of all shades value the principle of consent and as such recognise it is our democratic right to remain part of the United Kingdom and that cannot be dismissed or ignored.

Yours Sincerely,

Robin Swann MLA, Leader, Ulster Unionist Party

James Nicholson MEP

Lord Empey, Chairman, Ulster Unionist Party