Europe must insist on legally enforceable backstop - O’Neill

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Michelle O’Neill MLA has welcomed comments today from EU Chief negotiator Michel Barnier on the EU 27’s insistence on a “legally operative backstop” – an "all-weather insurance policy" to protect the island of Ireland against the consequences of Brexit and to preserve the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.



“The Tories’ disorderly Brexit chaos, which has been marked by Theresa May changing positions, stalling, and making and breaking agreements cannot continue.



“The Irish Government and the EU 27 must stand firm in the face of this dangerous agenda and defend our citizens’ rights, our economy and our peace and political process by securing cast-iron guarantees on the ‘backstop’, which all party leaders, with the exception of the DUP, have agreed is our bottom line.”