Use veto to prevent new frontier, SF leader urges
THE Irish government must use its veto if the DUP lean on the Tories to “impose a new frontier on Ireland”, Michelle O’neill warned yesterday.
Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader made the call as tensions escalate between the DUP and British government and Dublin.
Sinn Fein insist the Irish government must block Brexit talks moving on to phase 2 trade talks without the issue of the border being fully resolved.
Increasingly belligerent language saw former DUP leader Peter Robinson on Thursday tell Dublin to “wind its neck in”.
CLEAR
Current chief Arlene Foster said the British government has “a clear understanding the DUP will not countenance any arrangement that could lead to a new border being created in the Irish Sea”.
Also yesterday, Tanaiste and Foreign Minister
Simon Coveney said Ireland’s position on the border issue has not changed and it cannot be expected to take a “leap in the dark” and move on to the second phase of Brexit negotiations.
Reacting to the ongoing row, Mrs O’neill said: “If there is any suggestion, as Arlene Foster and Sammy Wilson are inferring, that they will use the DUP’S partnership with the Tories to influence the Brexit negotiations and impose a new frontier on Ireland, then there is an onus on the Taoiseach to act accordingly.
“The Dublin government has maximum leverage as we approach the critical European Council summit in two weeks’ time.
“The Taoiseach has the power to veto the negotiations from moving to the next stage.”