Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Taoiseach that the issue of how people in Britain vote in the Brexit referendum is a matter for voters there but unfortunately, aside from all the other implications, it is a vote which will have a direct impact on the people in the North. Most opinion polls suggest that the vote to leave the EU remains very strong and that the two sides are almost evenly split. I spent Saturday In Belfast taking part in Sinn Féin's day of action across the North calling for a remain vote. The murder of Labour MP, Jo Cox, cast a shadow over this but the response from those I met was very positive. Sinn Féin has real concerns about some aspects of the European Union, particularly the democratic deficit in the decision-making processes. We want a more democratic and social European Union. Nevertheless, to have one part of this island inside the European Union and the other outside will not be good for the island. It is not in Ireland's interest to have border posts or trade barriers. It is also very much the case that the British Government wants either to do away with the human rights elements of the Good Friday Agreement or not to implement equality protocols which are central to it. They will find this much easier to do if they are not part of the EU. I do not know any more than anyone else what the outcome of the vote will be but if it is to leave, the two-year divorce period for the British to negotiate their withdrawal would also be hugely destabilising.

Last week, we received a confidential briefing from officials from the Taoiseach's Department on the Government's approach and preparations and I thank the Taoiseach for facilitating that. It emphasised the huge amount of confusion and uncertainty that exists around any process of Brexit. Others in the Chamber have a different view, but for those of us who even reluctantly want to see people remaining in the European Union, we should use this opportunity to express our support for the remain side in the referendum. It is well known that the only Brexit that Sinn Féin wants to see is a Brexit from Ireland of the British Government. I reiterate our strong support for a referendum on Irish unity and our appeal to the Government to support this as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

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