Politics

Adams warns of implications for North of Brexit

Sinn Féin leader cautions that peace process could not be destabilised in any circumstance

Gerry Adams: Described as “ridiculous” the prospect of land frontiers in the event of a Brexit. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins
Gerry Adams: Described as “ridiculous” the prospect of land frontiers in the event of a Brexit. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins
Amanda Ferguson
Mon Feb 01 2016 - 01:00

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has warned that if Britain voted to leave the European Union, it would have "very profound implications" for Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the weekend, Mr Adams said he believed the peace process in the North could not be destabilised in any circumstance, but raised concerns over what he described as the “ridiculous” prospect of land frontiers in the event of a Brexit.

He described DUP protestations over Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s remarks in London last Monday that Northern Ireland would face “serious difficulties” in the event of Brexit as “entirely self-serving”.

DUP leader Arlene Foster, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds and DUP MP Ian Paisley have described Mr Kenny's comments while he was in London to meet British prime minister David Cameron as counterproductive.

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Best way forward

It was for the people of the UK “to decide the best way forward”, said Ms Foster

She added that the people of Northern Ireland “don’t take too kindly to people telling us what to do”.

Mr Adams said: “If we had any criticism of the Taoiseach, it is that he isn’t engaged enough and that he should be engaged consistently in a strategic way on all these issues, not just this issue.

“If the people of Britain want to leave the EU, that is a matter for them, but that would have repercussions for people on this island; but particularly the fact that those of us who live in the North are going to be dragged with them if that is what they so decide would have very profound implications.”

Among Sinn Féin’s concerns over Britain quitting the EU are the possible impact on the economy, the agricultural sector “being badly hit” and issues around the Border and land frontiers.

“Also, he [David Cameron] has separately said he was going to set aside some of the European conventions on human rights, which would have a really profound effect on elements of the Good Friday Agreement which are based upon them,” Mr Adams added.

The Sinn Féin leader made the comments at the Kennedy Centre in Belfast on Saturday ahead of the launch of his new book My Little Book of Tweets, which documents some of his quirky online posts on the social media site.