Yesterday’s Brexit transition deal struck between the EU and UK negotiation teams in Brussels will continue to guarantee the rights of all European citizens during the transition period, it has emerged.
But SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says there is still work to be done.
“Yesterday’s deal gives some welcome certainty and clarification on a number of issues,” he commented.
“More certainty and clarification is needed, particularly for our business community, however it is right to acknowledge this as a tentative step forward.
“The solution to the Irish border question will remain with the answer provided in the December EU text ‘unless and until’ the British government come forward with a better solution. We have waited for that solution now for some 21 months - there are plenty who still suspect that the wait will go on.
“The British Government signed up to that text in December and have now belated accepted its meaning. I am glad that the British Prime Minister has sensibly rowed back from the language that no Prime Minister could sign up to this proposal.
“Hopefully this is a sign that realism and pragmatism is finally infiltrating this British Government – long may it continue. If economic and political realism is finally entering the psyche of the British cabinet, the possibility still exists that we can all find some shelter from the worst effects of Brexit.
“Let me repeat our position - the SDLP do not wish to see a border in Ireland nor do we wish to see an economic border in the Irish Sea.
“That was our position during the referendum, after the referendum and it remains our position now. It is equally our position that this scenario is only possible if both our islands remain in the single market and the customs union.
“In the continued absence of that economic common sense from the British Government, the backstop agreement will inevitably come into effect.
“It provides the certainty that no matter the outworking of this negotiation, there can be no hard border in Ireland. Today’s deal gives that certainty and clarification.
“I also wish to acknowledge that the transition deal will continue to guarantee the rights of all European citizens during the transition period. The job of work ahead is to ensure that, beyond the transition, those rights remain on the island of Ireland permanently."
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