THE vote by a majority of people in Britain to leave the EU has created a real crisis in our economy, for our people and for relationships across Ireland. It was not a referendum that was demanded here.
It was brought about by in-fighting within the British Tory party. It was a referendum that was opposed by the vast majority of citizens here.
People were united in their support to remain in the EU. That position, definitively expressed by voters from across the community, must be respected.
There are some who simply want to draw a line under the referendum and move on. It is not over. It is a live issue and one in which the implications are now being fully revealed.
It is up to all parties and both governments to fully respect the vote of the people here to remain. As leaders it is up to us to stand up for the needs of the people on the island of Ireland.
We need an island-wide vision and an all Ireland approach to the EU. The Brexit vote presents a historic challenge but also an extraordinary opportunity to continue the process to end the injustice of partition and to build a new Ireland.
The fact that the border will now become an international frontier between an EU member state and a non-member state creates particular concerns for the people of this island.
There is now a huge responsibility on the Irish government to think and act nationally. In the real sense of that word that means 32 counties.
The government, as a co-equal guarantor of the agreement, also has a responsibility to defend the Good Friday Agreement and its political institutions.
It is an agreement built on the operation of relationships, within the North, between the North and South and between Britain and the island of Ireland. The British decision has the potential to fundamentally undermine these relationships.
That must be resisted. Sinn Féin believes that can best be achieved by those on the remain side working together with the Irish Government to uphold the vote of the electorate in the north.
The British government cannot claim to represent the North at an EU Level. Their policy has been rejected by the people.Ministers on the Executive should now deal directly with the EU institutions and others to discuss our future relationships.
I have met with Arlene Foster and the party leaders in the Assembly to discuss how we give effect to the vote of the people here. I have also requested an urgent meeting with Enda Kenny to make him aware of the need for an all-Ireland response.
The Irish Government must work to promote the interests of the whole island and the north in particular in future talks at an EU level. The task of everyone now must be to agree policies and strategies to give effect to the people's vote in the North, and to create a new Ireland and a new EU.
That means:
:: Insisting that the Irish government defend the interests of the island of Ireland at the EU Council meeting this week and in any future negotiations.
:: Ensuring full cooperation between the Irish government and the Executive.
:: Insisting that the Irish government, as a co-equal guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, defend it, its political institutions, and cross-border bodies.
:: Ensuring that the equality and human rights elements of the Good Friday Agreement are protected.
:: Grasping the opportunity to redesign the constitutional and political future of the island of Ireland and of Europe.
:: Demanding a referendum of Irish unity.It is the duty of all of us to ensure that these changes are progressive and to the benefit of all the people of this island and our economy.
