Speaking exactly one year after the UK went to the polls to decide its future in Europe, Dr Farry said the profound political implications would be felt for generations to come.
He said: “In one year the UK as a whole – and Northern Ireland in particular – has seen itself sink into huge economic uncertainty. With this in the background it is now more essential we have minds focused on the creation of a special deal for Northern Ireland, with a functioning executive advocating for everyone.
“It is clear the UK should be pursuing as soft a Brexit as possible, which must include remaining within the customs union and single market. It’s important the UK and EU recognise a one-size-fits-all Brexit cannot be consistent with the Good Friday Agreement and will force dramatic change across Northern Ireland.
“This approach should be separate from the wider constitutional questions and instead focus on building cross-community support for addressing the particular challenges facing those regions in the most pragmatic way possible.”