People Before Profit TD expresses concern at government and EU ‘drip, drip message’ on the reintroduction of a hard border in Ireland in the event of No-Deal Brexit
Richard Boyd Barrett TD to convey opposition to any hard border to Tánaiste at Brexit briefing today
In a statement to coincide with a briefing of the opposition on Brexit by Tánaiste Simon Coveney today at 4.30pm, Richard Boyd Barrett TD of People Before Profit warned that he is very concerned about the EU and the Irish Government’s apparent “drip, drip strategy” to soften public opinion towards the inevitability of the re-establishing a border on the island of Ireland in the event of a No-Deal Brexit.
Deputy Boyd Barrett said that any form of checks, even away from the border, would represent “a slippery slope towards the reestablishment of a hard-border” and would equate to an act of economic and political sabotage in Ireland.
The TD for Dún Laoghaire said the government should state clearly to both Boris Johnson and the EU that checks of any kind on movement of goods between the North and the South are “totally unacceptable under any circumstances”.
He said:
“While everyone knows Boris Johnson is a political wreaker who cares nothing about peace and stability in Ireland, the EU and the Irish Government were also guilty of playing a game of drip, drip to soften public opinion towards the idea that re-establishing a border on the island of Ireland is somehow inevitable in the event of a no-deal.
“A border or checks of any kind would be a disaster for Ireland North and South and would immediately endanger peace, security and stability on the island.
“Leo Varadkar must make it crystal clear to both Johnson and the EU that peace and stability in Ireland will not be sacrificed for self-serving political agendas or for the single market under any circumstances.”
