Sinn Fein demands solution to Irish border issue post Brexit
GETTY Sinn Fein has blasted Theresa May's government over its handling of the Irish border problem
The party dismissed as "nonsense" the notion that moving between Northern Ireland and the Republic could be monitored with technology after the UK withdraws from the EU. And it said any imposition of a customs frontier would "play fast and loose" with both the economy and peace process. Sinn Fein's Brexit spokesman David Cullinane said: "It is clear that the British Tory party are in disarray over Brexit. "They have no plan, no solutions for Brexit, only slogans. "The notion of a frictionless technological border has been dismissed as nonsense and impossible to deliver. "What is clear is that Tories are prepared to use Ireland as collateral damage in their negotiations with the EU. "What we need is a real solution that works for our economy, our communities, and delivers for all Ireland."
The Irish Government has warned it does not believe technology alone will resolve the border issue. With more than 200 roads to monitor, politicians on both sides of the border are sceptical that CCTV cameras and number plate recognition will solve the problem without causing major disruption. SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood accused the UK government of drawing up its border plan on the "back of an envelope". He said: "It is almost laughable that it took the British Government over a year to come up with it. "Anyone who knows anything about the Irish border knows it's a non-runner. "Any border must be around the island of Ireland, not across it. "This is the only position which recognises our unique circumstances and it is the only position which is actually enforceable. "It is the only serious and credible solution to the Brexit problem which has so far been proposed."
GETTY The border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic is a crucial Brexit issue
umber 10 will outline its vision for how it plans to operate its only land border with the EU post-Brexit on Wednesday. Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann has urged Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to kill off any suggestion that a customs border could be imposed in the Irish Sea, around the island rather than dividing it. He said: "If he has any respect for the people of Northern Ireland, Leo Varadkar must come out and dismiss the idea of a post-Brexit border in the Irish Sea once and for all." Mr Swann repeated his concern that the Brexit issue was being pursued by republicans and nationalists to advance a united Ireland. He said: "Brexit negotiations should not be used as a Trojan Horse by those who seek to exploit the situation to further their united Ireland agenda."
Brexit debate in pictures Mon, April 17, 2017 The debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg will focus on key issues of the Brexit talks including reciprocal rights for EU citizens, the peace process in Northern Ireland and trade Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 23 Former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage (L) gestures as he speaks with EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker (R) prior to a debate on the conclusions of the last European Council, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg