Call for a special EU envoy for North

Five Fine Gael MEPs have proposed the creation of a special EU envoy for Northern Ireland to ensure regular dialogue with political representatives there. Kilkenny’s Seán Kelly, Frances Fitzgerald, Deirdre Clune, Maria Walsh and Colm Markey believe there is a need to ensure formalised communication with representatives in Northern Ireland so that any issues can be identi ed and addressed in good time.

“ e unique historical, legal and social circumstances on the island of Ireland, with part of the island under the legal jurisdiction of the UK, meant that Brexit was always going to fundamentally impact Northern Ireland in particular,” Seán Kelly MEP and Leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament said. e MEPs have backed the Windsor Framework as a positive step forward in EU-UK relations that will signicantly reduce checks and paperwork. Within that agreement, the Stormont Brake gives the Northern Ireland Assembly the power to object to changes to EU rules that apply in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has remained inside the EU Single Market for goods under the provisions of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. is has granted Northern Ireland direct access to both the EU’s single market and the internal market of the United Kingdom.

“We have already seen increases in investments in Northern Ireland as one of the bene ts of the EU single-market and UK internal market access making it an attractive option for many companies.

I hear from business leaders all the time about the opportunities this arrangement has for Northern Ireland and the possibility of enhanced economic prosperity should be highlighted at every turn”, Kelly continued.

“ is mechanism is designed to be used in the most exceptional circumstances.’

“Due to the type of Brexit chosen by the UK government, it was inevitable, albeit unfortunate, that some sort of democratic de cit would exist in Northern Ireland thereafter,” Mr Kelly said.