Eastwood welcomes Taoiseach's plan to appoint new Secretary General to deal with Brexit

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s plans to appoint a new Secretary General to the Department of the Taoiseach to handle the fallout from Brexit, and the proposed establishment of a new Cabinet Sub-Committee to deal with the ramifications of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, has been welcomed by SDLP leader Colum Eastwood.

The Foyle MLA (pictured) said it was “necessary” to consider the issues and implications of Brexit.

He said: "We have had confirmation that neither the British Government nor the Northern Ireland Executive have put in place contingency plans to deal with the fallout of the referendum result. Here on the island of Ireland, we must map the challenges, purposes and priorities that could most affect us, North and South, rather than following the impulses and bad decisions of the British Government.

"We believe that it is necessary to consider the issues and implications, not least in terms of helping to develop optimum coherence and consensus on how to minimise the adverse economic fallout and ensure growth on the island.

“We must ensure that any border which is erected is only operational around the island of Ireland, not across it. We have made it clear that the British Government cannot drag Northern Ireland out of the European Union against its will.

"The SDLP is proactively and constructively working with the governments in Ireland and the rest of the UK, as well as representatives of the EU, to bring about the best possible deal for the people of Northern Ireland.”