Campaign needed to secure Brexit extension

Speaking in the Dáil today on Brexit statements, Brendan Howlin TD raised the urgent need for a cross community campaign to secure an extension on the Brexit negotiation period.

Deputy Howlin said:

“With no sign of any progress on a Brexit deal between the EU and the UK, and huge public resources committed to tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, the likelihood of securing progress on a Brexit deal in the coming weeks is slim.

“What we need now is a cross community campaign that would build consensus in the remaining time before the June deadline to secure an extension to the transition period.

“There must be strategy that seeks consensus and agreement from all stakeholders on our island to mobilise opinion in favour of an extension, both unionist and nationalists.

“We need to know where we stand in terms of real dialogue, particularly with the unionists in Northern Ireland, in respect of achieving the consensus we really need in order to have a working relationship between our islands and between Britain and the EU.  To achieve that, we will need a proper negotiating period and mandate, and an extension.”

“The consequences of not having an extension would likely undo all the achievements of the negotiations to date.”