Eastwood leads SDLP delegation in meeting with business representatives ahead of all Ireland Brexit Forum

SDLP leader, Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood, party economy spokesperson Sinead Bradley and agriculture spokesperson, Patsy McGlone, have met with business sector representatives ahead of the Taoiseach’s all Ireland Brexit Forum next week.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Bradley said that it was vital that the voice of the business and enterprise sector in the North was heard and understood by the Irish Government.

She added: “Next week’s All Ireland Forum on Brexit is an opportunity to formulate a collective response to an issue which threatens our combined interests.

“That’s why the SDLP is keen to ensure that the voice of the business and enterprise sector in the North is heard by the Irish Government.

“The Irish Government will be key advocates for the North during any forthcoming negotiations.

“We’ve already seen that the Brexit Government in Britain has little interest in defending the interests or will of people in Northern Ireland.

“Today’s meeting with business representatives was a critical engagement on issues that the government has detailed no way forward on.

“Imports and exports, the future of the border, workforce and free movement – all issues that the British government has provided no certainty on.”

Ms Bradley concluded; “The SDLP is committed to using every legal, political and parliamentary mechanism at our disposal to defend the will of the people of Northern Ireland who voted to remain and the interests of our region.”