WITH JUST THREE DAYS TO GO till Saturday’s crucial EU summit on Brexit, the Taoiseach is still keeping the Irish people in the dark about his negotiating position despite his promise to set out the Government priorities in advance, Gerry Adams has said.

“This is crunch time,” the Sinn Féin leader said.

“The Taoiseach gave a commitment in March to set out the Government priorities for the Brexit negotiations in a ‘consolidated paper’ ahead of the EU summit on Saturday. This has yet to happen.”

The TD for Louth said the Taoiseach’s failure to fulfill his promise is further evidence of the Government’s unwillingness to stand up for Ireland’s interests.

He added:

“The Government has also failed to publish what amendments, if any, the Taoiseach will seek to the draft negotiating guidelines.”

He continued:

“The best way the Taoiseach can meet his responsibilities is by seeking a political declaration from the European Council in its negotiation guidelines for ‘Designated Special Status for the North Within the EU’.”

Such a declaration should seek to address the Single Market, the Common Travel Area, EU funding streams, rights of Irish citizens in the North of Ireland and protection of rights, and maintain access to EU institutions, he said.

The Taoiseach should also seek to ensure that there is no agreement between the EU and the British Government that may apply to the North should be signed off on without the agreement of the Irish Government, the Sinn Féin leader insisted.

Gerry Adams said:

“The approach thus far of the Taoiseach to these negotiations has fallen far short of what is required and expected.

“Sinn Féin has outlined – in two papers – the case for Designated Special Status and how it can be achieved.

“The Taoiseach has a seat at the table. He will be in the room when these decisions are taken. He has a responsibly to argue strongly for ‘Designated Special Status for the North Within the European Union’.”