‘Taoiseach must ensure democratic rights of all citizens are protected’ – Brady

Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has said the Taoiseach should ensure the democratic rights of the people of Ireland are respected.

The Newry and Armagh MP was speaking following the first meeting of the Good Friday Agreement committee of the 32nd Dáil.

“It has been disappointing that Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been flip flopping in his comments over Irish unity,” he told Newry Times. “Enda Kenny has an obligation to defend the rights of Irish citizens regardless of where they live in the island.

“He also has a responsibility to defend the Good Friday Agreement and to ensure it is not undermined by the votes of people in England. Regardless of whether he is in a meeting in Leinster House, Stormont, or Downing Street the Taoiseach needs to put the democratic rights of the people of Ireland first and ensure their vote to remain in the EU is respected.”

Brady said one of his key demands during the meeting had been for a report into the effects of an EU exit on the Good Friday Agreement to be commissioned. “An EU exit has all sorts of legal ramifications for the Good Friday Agreement.

“The Agreement was backed by the European Parliament and much of it is based on EU law, for example, its human rights commitments. It is clear from the Taoiseach’s statement, following his meeting with English Prime Minister Theresa May, that the Taoiseach failed to mention, respect or stand up for the vote of the people in the north to remain in the EU.

“Brexit has the potential to undermine the Good Friday Agreement, undermine the economy and entrench barriers to trade, people and services,” the local MP insisted.

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“Despite the talk of strong relations between London and Dublin, the British Tory party has treated the Irish people, our economy and our agreements as collateral damage in the Brexit debate.

Brady added, “The Taoiseach needs to make clear that the Irish government will not be complicit in undermining the vote in the north, will not be quiet on the impact on our economy and will not give up on our agreements.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jul 29 2016. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry