Gerry Adams: Irish government must defend the rights of Irish citizens in the North

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to act in the national interests of entire Island of Ireland throughout the Brexit negotiations.

Speaking in Dublin, Mr Adams said that “this morning’s decisions by the British Supreme Court that Westminster must vote on Article 50 and the rejection of any role for the devolved governments, underlines the importance of the Irish government’s role in defending the rights of Irish citizens in the North”.

Mr Adams said: “The Irish government needs to have as its strategic objective in its negotiations with the other 26 EU members the right of citizens in the North to a special designated status within the European Union.

“Brexit will undermine the institutional, constitutional and legal integrity of the Good Friday Agreement.

“It puts the British government on a collision course with the EU in which our stability and economic progress are regarded as collateral damage.”

The Sinn Féin leader added: “The Taoiseach and the Irish Government must uphold the Remain vote in the North and argue for the North to be accorded a special designated status within the EU. There are precedents for this.

“In its negotiations with the other EU states, it must act in the national interest and it has to fulfil its moral and legal duty as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

“The political future, trade relationships, and prosperity of the entire Island of Ireland must be protected and enhanced together.”