Downpatrick to host major Sinn Fein gathering

Downpatrick to host major Sinn Fein gathering

24 May 2017

SENIOR figures from Sinn Fein’s national leadership will be in Downpatrick next week for a public discussion event hosted by the party’s South Down Westminster election candidate Chris Hazzard.

Next Tuesday evening’s event at the St Patrick Centre, which starts at 7pm, will focus on the implications of Brexit and Tory cuts.

Sinn Fein’s northern leader Michelle O’Neill will be joined Mary Lou McDonald, Pearse Doherty and John Finucane, the latter of whom was recently announced as the party’s Westminster candidate in the North Belfast constituency.

Ahead of the Downpatrick event, Mr Hazzard said the senior party figures who will be in the town are among those to the fore in negotiating special status for the North within the European Union.

“The public discussion will be on the future of South Sown, post Brexit,” he continued. “I will be inviting people to engage with Sinn Féin’s national leadership for a discussion on Brexit and the challenges for South Down arising from the North’s forced exit from the EU.

“We want to listen to the concerns and hopes of local people at a time of great uncertainty and upheaval policies and explain the policies Sinn Féin are pursuing to protect people from the worst excesses of Tory rule.”

Mr Hazzard said Sinn Féin is using its significant representation in the Assembly, the Dáil, and European parliament in the pursuit of policies that will enhance local businesses and the economy, assist farmers and the agri-food and fishing industries and protect regional health services and education system.

He continued: “We are determined to achieve special status for the North within the European Union. This is essential if we are to preserve the Single Market and Customs Union, retain the Common Travel Area and maintain access to EU funding streams, all of which are minimum requirements that must be achieved if we are to negate the worst aspects of Brexit.

“These goals will not however be delivered by those who wield power at Westminster. It is a battle will be fought and won in Ireland and Brussels.”

Mr Hazzard added: “Next week’s event is an opportunity for Sinn Féin to share its vision for South Down and explain the work we are doing locally and nationally to safeguard peoples future prosperity.”