Máirtín Ó Muilleoir had some very strong words.
Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Northern Ireland’s Minister for Finance, believes that the country is “staring into a Brexit black hole.”
Speaking at an Oireachtas Committee that has been engaging with witnesses for the last two months on the subject of Brexit, he went on to say that “I see no economic opportunity, no cultural opportunity, no opportunities for community uplift and no opportunity for peace-building”, following the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
In Northern Ireland,
He adds that: “I have failed to be persuaded by those who say that we’re on the cusp of massive opportunities. To avoid that calamity, it’s my job as Finance Minister to put in place the measures that will ensure we don’t go over the Brexit cliff, and instead of that, we find a way – most probably under some type of special case or status – where we continue to enjoy the benefits of European membership.”
This statement comes only a few weeks after the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness, hit out at Theresa May’s government over their handling of Brexit. “A British government that appears totally divided at leadership level and really doesn’t know how to process this very difficult situation,” McGuinness said.
McGuinness also stated that Sinn Fein wants a special position for Northern Ireland following their vote to remain within the European Union.
“[the Sinn Fein] position is that we want to remain in Europe. We want a specially-designated position for the North, given that the people of the North voted to see their future in Europe,” he said.
Here are the recent comments that Máirtín Ó Muilleoir made to the Oireachtas Committee.
Northern Ireland is "staring into a Brexit black hole"- Finance Minister @newbelfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir @rtenews pic.twitter.com/ZiUb8SeVlp
— Conor McMorrow (@ConorMcMorrow) December 6, 2016
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