Brexit campaigners put case to committee
SINN Féin TD Gerry Adams met representatives of the Border Communities Against Brexit (BCAB) group in the Dáil last week where they made a submission to the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement committee on the issue of Brexit.
Mr Adams commended the work of the group and said that Brexit is ‘probably the most important and difficult challenge facing the citizens of this island in recent decades.
He said: ‘In my discussions with the delegation they expressed serious concern about the impact of a so-called hard border and the possibility of a return to the bad years of border road closures.
‘ The blocking and destruction of hundreds of cross border roads during the years of conflict life along the border, especially for farmers and local business’.
The BCAB group told the committee: ‘Currently on Europe’s eastern border Frontex is responsible for the implementation of the hard border that exists there. All small roads are closed and people are forced through large designated checkpoints. In Slovakia for example there are three crossings; these a large scale crossing with six to eight lanes, where passports, visas, the vehicles and there contents are checked. Currently if you live more than 50 miles from the European border you must apply a week in advance to gain entry, anyone living within 50 miles can apply for a yearly pass’.
Mr Adams said: ‘ The British Prime Minister Theresa May is also refusing to tell the Executive in the North, or the Scottish or Welsh Cabinets her negotiation strategy for Brexit. This is causing serious concern.
‘ The vast majority of citizens on the island of Ireland understand the imperative of opposing one part of the island – the North – being dragged out of the EU. The adverse impact on the whole island would be substantial.
‘ There is an onus on the Irish government to put in place a comprehensive strategy that refuses to be mesmerised by what the London government is going to do.
‘ Taoiseach Enda Kenny needs to focus on an all-island vision and in particular on securing a designated special status for the North within the EU’.