FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council has resolved to write to the Department for Exiting the European Union (EU), the Taoiseach and the European Council to seek support in obtaining special status for Northern Ireland within the EU.
The Sinn Fein proposal to seek special status caused division at this month’s full council meeting and led to a recorded vote before it was passed.
It came after a letter of reply from the Department for Exiting the EU was brought before councillors in the chamber.
Initially the council had written to the Department outlining concerns for the implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland in relation to Common Travel Areas and Right to Stay.
In the letter, the council’s Chief Executive Brendan Hegarty had highlighted members’ desire to see Northern Ireland being allowed to stay within the Single Market and the Customs Union.
In response, the Department’s correspondence team said it “placed huge value” on maintaining the UK’s unique arrangements with Ireland.

But the correspondence team rejected the council’s request to remain in the Single Market.
“Being out of the EU but a member of the Single Market would mean complying with the EU’s rules and regulations,” said the letter, “It would to all intents and purposes mean not leaving the EU at all.”
Sinn Fein’s John Feely felt the letter did not take the council’s concerns seriously.
“We need to let them know in simple terms FODC want special status within the EU.”
But the UUP’s Alex Baird said the council was in danger of “going over old ground”.
“Northern Ireland isn’t separate from the UK, this wasn’t a regional vote,” he said, “The UK entered the EU as a unit and as a unit has decided to leave the EU. I want to get the best result for everybody but just because one area voted to stay doesn’t mean we can have special status.”
While the DUP’s Raymond Farrell was in agreement with Mr. Baird, independent councillor, Dr. Josephine Deehan said Brexit would have “very serious implications for agriculture, for economy, tourism and transportation” here.
“It is not simply a matter of accepting the democratic will of the people of the UK,” she said, “We have a responsibility as public representatives to look after the interests of all people. I support fully a call for special status for the North of Ireland. Fellow independent, Sorcha McAnespy, said she felt the Province needed to paddle its own canoe. “I think the Unionist benches don’t realise Theresa May doesn’t care too much about us. We don’t really come under her radar and it’s as if we don’t exist. In a recorded vote, 20 councillors voted for Mr. Feely’s proposal, while 13 voted against.
As a result, the proposal to seek support for special status within the EU was carried.