MINISTERS from both sides of the Irish Border have hailed the latest round of Brexit discussions as their best yet.
The UK’s forthcoming EU departure topped the agenda at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Committee (NSMC) where Stormont’s First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were joined by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan in Armagh last Friday afternoon.
Mrs. Foster, a Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA, described the meeting as useful. She said: “The Taoiseach has been very good to share some of the discussions that are going on at a European level in terms of the Republic of Ireland’s government and we are very grateful to hear that.
“We shared our position in terms of Northern Ireland and indeed in terms of the discussions that are going on a UK basis as well.
“So, it was a very useful meeting. We await to see what happens in terms of the Supreme Court and we’ll take it from there.”
The DUP leader said she was not surprised that attitudes from some European leaders had hardened in the wake of the referendum result, adding: “You can all take up positions before negotiations start but then you have to start the negotiation. And that’s where we will be after Article 50 has been triggered.”
Meanwhile, Mr. McGuinness revealed the NSMC has agreed to set up a high level working group of civil servants to prepare for Brexit. He said the apparent confusion emanating from Westminster on the issue meant “everything is on the table”.
Afterwards Mr. Kenny described the talks as “constructive”, adding there had been a “great deal of common ground.”