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DUP don't speak for Northern Ireland, Alliance's Stephen Farry tells Michel Barnier

Alliance deputy leader with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier
Alliance deputy leader with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier Alliance deputy leader with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier

ALLIANCE Party deputy leader Stephen Farry has told EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier the DUP "do not speak for Northern Ireland" on Brexit.

Mr Farry met with Mr Barnier in Brussels yesterday to discuss the impact on Northern Ireland of the UK leaving the European Union.

The North Down MLA, Alliance's Brexit spokesperson, described the meeting as "important opportunity for Alliance to further engage with key decision-makers and influencers".

"Within Brussels there is a strong understanding of the problems posed to Northern Ireland by Brexit, which, by contrast, has sadly not been replicated by the UK government to date," he said.

Alliance deputy leader with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier
Alliance deputy leader with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier Alliance deputy leader with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier

Last week Alliance issued a joint statement alongside Sinn Féin, the SDLP, and Green Party calling for the north to remain in the EU single market and customs union after Brexit.

The DUP dismissed the call as "devoid of reality" and "silent about the catastrophic damage that would be done to Northern Ireland" if separated economically from the Britain.

The party's 10 MPs are helping to keep British prime minister Theresa May in power through a confidence-and-supply deal at Westminster.

Mr Farry said his party made three key points in their meeting with Mr Barnier.

"Firstly that there is a plurality of voices in Northern Ireland and while the DUP may have undue influence at present over the UK government they do not speak for Northern Ireland," he said.

"Indeed across a range of stakeholders there is growing common ground on a number of key considerations.

"Secondly we stressed that a cross-community approach to a special deal is emerging based on customs union and single market participation.

"It is important that such approach is understood as being a practical and pragmatic way forward, consistent with devolution and the principle of consent.

"Thirdly, while we welcomed the backstop solution it should, however, only be regarded as a defensive intervention, encompassing what is necessary to avoid a hard border.

"By contrast, the future UK-EU relationship is really important to ensure that Northern Ireland does not become an economic and social backwater, with its existing economic model frozen in time, but instead ensures that Northern Ireland is empowered to change and grow."

Mr Barnier posted a photo of the meeting with Mr Farry and Alliance member Sorcha Eastwood on Twitter.

He tweeted: "I continue to listen to all voices in Northern Ireland and to the debate on Brexit. I had a good discussion with Stephen Farry and Sorcha Eastwood."