O'Brien skeptical on Irish Border claims

​Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Darragh O’Brien has expressed his skepticism about reports that Britain will seek to shift the onus of immigration control to Ireland.


Commenting following the story in Britain's The Guardian newspaper, Deputy O’Brien said, "As each week passes, we are reminded of the extent to which those who proposed and campaigned for Brexit have no idea of how to actually implement it.


"The latest idea, that the issues associated with there being a land border between the EU and the UK could be dealt with by giving Ireland responsibility for policing the UK border, seems highly implausible.


"Fianna Fáil were very vocal about this issue during this campaign and made clear that any Brexit plan which included Ireland taking responsibility for the UK border should be a non-runner.  Any border restrictions between North and South are completely unacceptable.
“Ireland is a committed member of the EU and the freedoms involved. The idea that we would compromise our own position and limit the movement of EU citizens within the country is not grounded in any reality. At the most basic level, how would those promoting this idea propose that we stop our visitors travelling north of Dundalk?


"Ireland is determined to play a constructive role in the Brexit negotiations that will now take place and to ensure that the special position of Northern Ireland is recognised, but we need to be clear that our membership of the EU and the freedoms associated with it are not up for any sort of negotiation.


"Britain voted to leave the EU and must now try to understand what that means and how it will work. We want to help them in that process, but the Irish Government should not be entertaining any proposal that would compromise our position as an open and welcoming society and economy."