Tuesday 02 June 2020
Green Party MLA Rachel Woods has supported an Assembly motion calling for an extension to the Brexit transition period and tabled an amendment stating that we must guard against considering the impact of Brexit in purely economic terms.
The Assembly today debated a motion on a proposed extension to the Brexit regulations, along with an amendment from the Green Party NI.
Rachel Woods MLA said:
“Brexit is coming our way and it has been clear for a long time that it will have a negative impact right across Northern Ireland.
“Meanwhile, we’re still attempting to find our find our feet in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and a Westminster government steaming ahead with lockdown restrictions to the alarm of public health experts.
“To push on with Brexit in the midst of a pandemic is unwise in the extreme. It’s both clear and unfortunate that this Tory government wants to implement Brexit at any cost.
“The Green Party supports the call for an extension to the Brexit transition period. However, we want to guard against framing the impact of Brexit in purely economic terms.
“We sought to broaden the focus of the original motion beyond that of business concerns, to acknowledge the impact that EU withdrawal will have on all sections of society, economy and the environment.
“Brexit will cut across many aspects of our lives and society. It’s not just the economy that will suffer the negative impacts once the Westminster government defies the will of the majority of people in Northern Ireland and fully exits the EU.”
ENDS
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