DEPUTY First Minister Martin McGuinness warned on Monday against “the imposition of a hard Border” with the Republic of Ireland when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.
The Sinn Fein MLA was speaking after attending a Joint Ministerial Committee meeting on Brexit at Downing Street with First Minister Arlene Foster, chaired by Prime Minister Theresa May.
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He told reporters: “Agreements like the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement are contingent on there being no obstructions between North and South.”
Mrs. Foster said they had received assurances from Mrs. May “there would not be a hard Border.”
“This an agreement between her, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government.”
Following the two hour meeting, Mrs. Foster and Mr. McGuinness released a joint statement, saying there “must be no democratic deficit” when it comes to “our region’s voice being heard.”
“Our joint letter to the prime minister in August outlined our agreed key priorities looking ahead. These included: cross Border movement of people, goods and services; trading costs and business competitiveness; uncertainty on drawdown of EU funding; and support for our agri food sector.”
Mrs. May had told the meeting between devolved administrations she would strike a bespoke Brexit deal that works for the whole of the United Kingdom.
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