ANY attempt by Theresa May to repeal the Human Rights Act risks breaching the Good Friday Agreement, a Sinn Féin MEP has claimed.
Martina Anderson expressed "grave concern" at the home secretary's elevation to prime minister.
"Throughout her career Theresa May has repeatedly indicated that she would look to repeal laws that guarantee human rights, and as recently as May voted in favour of repealing the Human Rights Act," she said.
"Her appointment as prime minister has left me fearful for equality and human rights legislation."
Ms Anderson said legal advice has suggested that repealing the act could have repercussions for the peace process.
"The legal advice confirmed that 'A repeal of the Human Rights Act risks not only breaching the Good Friday Agreement in a technical sense, but infringing its spirit and leading to a loss of faith in the British government's commitment to the peace process'," she said.
Party leader Gerry Adams also told the Dáil that Mrs May's appointment "presents considerable difficulties and challenges for our government, for the relationships within this island, within the north, and between this island and Britain".
However, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald spoke yesterday of her positive working relationship with Mrs May.
"I found her very easy to work with, she’s very focused, I’d say she’s quite a private person," Ms Fitzgerald told RTÉ.
"Very respectful and very well-regarded by the other justice ministers; at the meeting we were at last week they were all saying, ‘we could work with Theresa in the new situation’."
