Northern Ireland

Theresa May told Brexit will be a ‘disaster' for Ireland

Michelle O'Neill told Prime Minister Theresa May that Brexit would be a disaster for Ireland. Picture by Ben Birchall, Press Association 
Michelle O'Neill told Prime Minister Theresa May that Brexit would be a disaster for Ireland. Picture by Ben Birchall, Press Association  Michelle O'Neill told Prime Minister Theresa May that Brexit would be a disaster for Ireland. Picture by Ben Birchall, Press Association 

SINN Féin northern leader Michelle O'Neill has told British prime minister Theresa May that Brexit will be a "disaster" for the Irish economy on both sides of the border.

Speaking after attending a joint ministerial committee's Brexit meeting in Cardiff alongside DUP leader Arlene Foster and the heads of the devolved administrations, Ms O'Neill restated her desire for the north to be designated special status within the EU.

She said the UK leaving the EU would create a "frontier across Ireland" and undermine previous political agreements, as well as the cross-border institutions.

Sinn Féin plans to launch its blueprint for special regional status today at Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

"It should be remembered that in every election in north the people have rejected the Tory government and their policies – in the referendum, the majority of people opposed Brexit and voted to remain," Ms O'Neill said.

"I told Prime Minister May that the government at Westminster should respect the vote of the people in the north and that we should be designated special status within the EU. I will also be raising this issue with a taoiseach and with EU political leaders."

Mrs Foster revealed that yesterday's meeting had been scheduled to take place in Belfast, before the recent political crisis intervened.

"We are disappointed and I in particular am disappointed that we haven't been able to host the prime minister in Belfast, but I did indicate to her at the meeting that we hoped she would be able to be hosted in Belfast in the not too distant future in relation to a JMC plenary," she said.

"I certainly hope that is the case because our focus is about getting the institutions back up and running again to provide that stability that people want to see in Northern Ireland – not least because then we have a voice in relation to the Brexit negotiation."

Ahead of the meeting, Sinn Féin had accused Mrs Foster of being in denial over losing her ministerial job.

Ms O'Neill attended the Brexit discussions in her capacity as health minister, while Mrs Foster was also present, despite the fact that she is no longer first minister.

The DUP said Sinn Féin needed to check the law that enabled the DUP leader Mrs Foster to continue to carry out a number of ministerial functions.

Mrs Foster said she and Ms O'Neill would "have to work together, because if the people of Northern Ireland decide that Sinn Féin and the DUP are the two largest parties then we have to move forward and we have to get the institutions up and running again as soon as possible".

Meanwhile DUP MLA Lord Morrow has hit out at other unionist parties for attacking Arlene Foster and the "vile commentary currently circulating".

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone assembly member said despite more than 40 years in politics he had "never experienced such venomous, spiteful, personal attacks which are presently being levied at my party and our leader".

Saying he had no doubt that there was an "agenda" by republicans to remove the leader of unionism from the top Stormont post.

"No-one in unionism should be an enemy," he said.

"Opposing views are the mainstay of debate, and not opportunities to insult, decry or abuse and join with the traditional enemy."