Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said the proposed Brexit backstop is not a constitutional issue but rather a pragmatic and economic intervention to protect the people of Northern Ireland.Dr Farry was speaking after representing Alliance in cross-party meetings with EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and the European Parliament’s Brexit Co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt. “Our […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said there is a need to “de-dramatise” talk over the Brexit backstop. Dr Farry was speaking ahead of meeting EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier at the European Commission HQ in Brussels. He said the meeting alongside three other local parties, which will be followed by a meeting with […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said the DUP’s position dismissing limited checks down the Irish Sea and any difference in regulation to facilitate a Brexit backstop protecting Northern Ireland is “incoherent and dangerous”. “This position is contradictory and self-destructive – the need for a backstop only arises from UK Government and DUP support […]
The Alliance Party has given the growing momentum around a People’s Vote on the outcome of the current Brexit negotiations a voice in Northern Ireland, after successfully securing support for the idea across both Belfast and Newry, Mourne and Down Councils. An Alliance-led initiative in City Hall, Councillor Kate Nicholl said she was especially glad […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has called for the rhetoric against the backstop to be de-escalated and the wider political and economic interests of Northern Ireland to be understood, compared to the distorted views of the DUP. “This is a time of huge political crisis for the UK and for Northern Ireland in particular. […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said the Prime Minister’s escalation of language around Brexit negotiations is a potentially “grave and historic mistake”. Dr Farry was speaking after Theresa May said talks had reached an impasse, with the rejection of her Chequers Plan by the EU as “not acceptable”. “The Prime Minister has placed […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said the only options to avoid a hard border in Ireland after Brexit are either the UK remaining in the EU’s economic mechanisms or special arrangements for Northern Ireland, after Donald Tusk effectively rejected elements of the UK Government’s Chequers Plan. “This Government is walking the UK closer […]
The Alliance Party will again take the idea for a People’s Vote on Brexit to Belfast City Council, as Kate Nicholl and Nuala McAllister are set to raise the issue via a motion at the latest meeting of the Brexit committee, scheduled to take place this Thursday. The second time the Councillors have attempted to […]
Alliance Party Deputy Leader and Brexit Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has welcomed further efforts by the European Commission to de-dramatise the proposed backstop and called upon the UK Government to respond positively, as it is in UK’s interest to do in order to secure the Withdrawal Agreement. Speaking earlier today, Dr Farry further called for greater […]
Alliance Party Deputy Leader and Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has responded to proposals from the European Research Group (ERG) by terming them “delusional”. Dr Farry added that not only did the proposals avoid dealing with the core questions; they only served as a distraction when it comes to finding a resolution to the border […]