Brexit will be disastrous for country, says Hazzard

Brexit will be disastrous for country, says Hazzard

3 October 2018

DIRE warnings on the disastrous impact of Brexit highlight the need for Northern Ireland to secure special status within the EU, according to South Down MP Chris Hazzard.

He said more and more people across all sectors of society were becoming increasingly aware of “just how disastrous Brexit will be for those living north of the border”.

Mr Hazzard has also voiced concern about the deion of the Irish border as an “exaggerated inconvenience” by former Brexit secretary David Davis.

The South Down MP said the remark demonstrated the “complete disregard the Tory Brexiteers have people not just in the six counties, but across Ireland”.

In addition, the MP is backing Sinn Fein’s call for two additional EU parliament seats to be given to Ireland as a result of Brexit to “ensure all its citizens are represented” to represent people in the North.

Mr Hazzard said increasing warnings about the impact of Brexit will “undoubtedly increase fears in many sectors”, with concerns that even minor delays at customs points could result in one in ten firms going bankrupt, with the situation particularly acute in Northern Ireland.

“Farming unions have also raised concerns that Brexit, either with or without a deal, could lead to a six month trade embargo for exporters which could force many out of business,” he continued. “We have also had warnings from the head of the Irish Aviation Authority that flights between Ireland and Britain could be grounded in the event of a no deal Brexit. 

“The British government, in an admission of the chaos it is mired in over Brexit and an acknowledgement of how ill-prepared it is, has appointed a minister to deal with food shortages that could arise as a result of Brexit.”

The South Down MP said warnings about the impact of EU withdrawal come in the wake of a litany of reports from charities, independent bodies and even the British government showing just how much of a negative impact Brexit will have. 

“All of this highlights the need for the backstop option to be protected and built upon and for the north to secure special status within the EU,” he declared.

Turning to the former Brexit secretary’s comments about the border issue, Mr Hazzard claimed they show the real agenda of the Brexiteers to destroy the Good Friday Agreement, regardless of the consequences.

“David Davis was a member of the British Tory government when it agreed to the backstop with the EU last December and again in March this year,” he explained.

“The people of the north rejected Brexit and the Tory/DUP axis working against the democratic wishes of the people here. Ireland will not be collateral damage for the Tory civil war on Brexit. The backstop must be protected for the north to secure special status within the EU.” 

Supporting calls for Ireland to be given an additional two seats n the EU parliament, Mr Hazzard said they should be used to represent people in the North.

He said the Dublin government was planning to allocate the seats to the Dublin and Ireland South constituencies which he described as “disappointing” for those north of the border who voted against leaving the EU.

“The legal advice is clear,” the MP declared. “The Irish Government can do this if has the will. I was heartened by the recent motion passed at Donegal County and Newry, Mourne and Down councils calling for the seats to come north.”

Mr Hazzard added: “It was the Taoiseach who said Northern citizens would never again be abandoned, yet here they are being left behind by government at the first hurdle, losing the most basic entitlement of any citizen — the right to elected representation.”