NORTHERN Ireland should be the “gateway” to the European Union, according to the Ulster Unionist Party.
The UUP has published a new document titled ‘A vision for Northern Ireland outside the EU’, which outlines what the party hopes to see in a post-Brexit landscape.
Ideas put forward include creating an NI-wide Enterprise Zone that would offer rates and tax relief for businesses; ensuring firms have the same access to the European Single Market as they currently do; and safeguarding the Common Travel Area for NI citizens.
The document has been published in response to what the UUP claims is a lack of preparation for NI’s future outside the EU.
“Sadly, there is precious little to scrutinise so far,” party leader Mike Nesbitt said of the Stormont Executive’s actions to date on the matter of Brexit.
“Northern Ireland will be the most affected region of the UK by Brexit, but it is already clear we are the least prepared.”
Mr Nesbitt dubbed the lack of agreement between Executive parties during the recent visit by Brexit minister David Davies as “shocking”, and accused the first and deputy first ministers of failing to do more than identify threats facing the north that were already obvious before the June 23 referendum.
“Our vision is of Northern Ireland as the UK’s gateway to the EU,” Mr Nesbitt continued.
“We will be the only region of the kingdom with a land border with the European Union, and rather than look at the border as a problem, we should maximise the potential.
“Over the coming years, the government will be engaged in a whole series of negotiations and it is imperative that the Northern Ireland Executive speaks loudly, clearly and coherently about what needs to be done.
“That is why we propose a ‘War Room’ properly resourced to coordinate Executive departments, defining policy options, priorities and what leverage we can bring to bear in discussions with HM Government. “
Mr Nesbitt added that the ten key ideas in the new document were based on the party’s desire to ”strengthen our economy and consequently, increase the prosperity and well-being of all our people”.
