Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LEO URGES NORTH TO FIND ITS VOICE
Taoiseach warns time is running out to get best Brexit outcome Pride flag flies at Stormont in historic move
LEO Varadkar has called on Stormont politicians to resolve their differences and restore powersharing as the Brexit talks enter a crucial stage.
In his first visit to Northern Ireland since becoming Taoiseach, he warned time is getting short to achieve the best deal for the island of Ireland.
Speaking at Queen’s University, Mr Varadkar said “every single aspect of life in Northern Ireland could be affected by Brexit” and described it as “the challenge of this generation”.
He revealed the EU 27 would meet in October to decide whether enough progress had been made in the initial phase of negotiations, which are focused on the financial settlement, citizens’ rights and the Irish border, to enable talks to proceed to the next phase.
Stressing the need for
Northern Ireland’s voice to be heard, he added: “Today we need an answer to the question of who do we – and others in Europe – talk to in Belfast?
“Who will speak for Northern Ireland and her 1.8 million people?
“Time is running out and I fear there will be no extra time allowed.”
He said Brexiteers who advocated a hard border had to come up with proposals as to how that would work, adding: “They’ve already had 14 months to do so.”
Insisting the Irish government will not design a hard border for Brexiteers, he said a meaningful solution could be the establishment of an EU-UK customs union.
He added: “After all we have one with Turkey. Surely we can have one with the United Kingdom?”
The audience included MLAS and Democratic Unionist MP for South Belfast Emma Little-pengelly, whose party has been critical of the Taoiseach’s comments on Brexit.
Mr Varadkar said if the UK does not want to stay in the single market it could enter into a deep free trade agreement with the EU and rejoin the European Free Trade Association.
If this cannot be agreed now there can be a period of transition during which the UK stays in the single market and customs union while issues are worked out.
Mr Varadkar added: “At a time when Brexit threatens to drive a wedge between North and South we need to build more bridges and fewer borders. I promise I will play my part in helping to do exactly that.”
SOUTH BELFAST YESTERDAY
A RAINBOW Pride flag has been raised at a UK Government building at Stormont for the first time.
It was flown beside Stormont House
morning to mark the city’s Pride festival after Secretary of State
Brokenshire gave the go-ahead for the symbolic move.
While Mr Brokenshire said it was a matter for devolved ministers to resolve the issue of gay marriage, he expressed hope a law change would materialise.
He added: “I’m pleased to have authorised the flying of the Pride flag at Stormont House for the first time.
“Whilst policy on equal marriage is entirely a devolved matter for politicians within the Assembly, I voted in support of equal marriage in England and Wales and like the Prime Minister hope this can be extended to Northern Ireland in the future.”