BCAB welcome Irish Protocol in Brexit deal
THE lobby group ‘Border Communities Against Brexit’ have welcomed the conclusion of a Brexit deal, and highlighted the significance of the ‘Irish Protocol.’
The group have campaigned since 2016 to prevent any return of a hard border as result of the UK’s Brexit vote.
‘We are ordinary people from all walks of life who came together to campaign to highlight to those people living in Border Communities about the massive risk to our futures,’ said a spokesman.
‘Be under no illusion that had we not campaigned, held many protests, lobbied the Irish Government, lobbied pro remain political parties, lobbied UK politicians, but especially lobbying hundreds of Members of the European Parliament, we most definitely would have border posts being constructed from Dundalk to Derry, even under the deal that has just been agreed.’
‘Apart from the very significant economic damage this would have caused, the huge disruption to those of us living in border communities; our communities would have been forced to navigate through a handful of open border routes, it would without any doubt have brought about the substantial risk of violence towards new border infrastructure.’
‘ This would absolutely have had very serious consequences for the most precious thing on this island, our peace process.
He added: ‘Peace under the architecture of the Good Friday Agreement has been the solid foundation of our society for the past 20 years, it has brought so much economic and societal benefits, without it our island would most definitely have taken a substantial backward step.’
‘ The north unfortunately is no longer in the European Union, instead they will align with EU Regulations on goods and customs, this alignment prevents a physical border on the land.’
The Irish Protocol is to operate in all circumstances, to ensure that there would never ever be a physical border on our island ever again.’
‘We have lost much, such as, our rights taken away, loss of representation by MEP’s, loss of many structural funds, with other things mitigated by the Irish Government which is very welcome.
However, we are in a better situation, this could not have occurred without the kindness and generosity of spirit of the European Union.
A special thank-you to the Task Force under the leadership of an amazingly patient gentleman Michel Barnier, also to the leader of the Commission Ursula Yon der Leyen, her predecessor Donald Tusk, to the former Brexit Coordinator Guy Verholfstadt, each current and former members of the Brexit Steering Group.