The only sure way to have no hard border is to have no border at all - Pearse Doherty TD

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has said the only sure way to have no hard border is to have no border at all.

Deputy Doherty was speaking after exchanges with An Taoiseach where the Taoiseach failed to present any plan as to how to ensure that a hard border would not be reintroduced.

Doherty accused Fine Gael at being “at sea” and sending contradictory messages over Ireland’s position in the EU.

Deputy Doherty said:

“I questioned the Taoiseach today on his reported raising of the Scottish people’s right to stay in the EU following their vote to do so but his failure to do so for people in the north of this country. The whole episode shows that the government has no plan to prevent the imposition of a hard border and that Fine Gael are at sea over what to do.

“In recent days their Dublin MEP Brian Hayes and the Chief Whip Regina Doherty have both said Ireland should leave the EU if the EU pushes a corporate tax harmonising agenda. Today An Taoiseach told me emphatically that that is not the case.

“His replies about a plan to prevent the imposition of a hard border on our own island did not inspire confidence either. His wait and see approach is not good enough given the economic and social damage any sort of moves towards a hard border would create for border counties, north and south.

“The EU and our relationship with Britain is changing. The government must start reacting to protect our interest now, not after a deal is done.

“The only way to guarantee there will be no hard border is to work towards ensuring there is no border at all.”

ENDS