Eastwood meets Fianna Fáil and Labour leaders over EU Referendum result

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has led a party delegation to meet with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Labour leader Brendan Howlin to discuss defending the democratically stated will of people in the North to remain in Europe.

The Foyle MLA also held a discussion with the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach.

He will also attend a meeting of European leaders and Heads of State today in Paris to outline the importance of respecting Northern Ireland's democratic mandate.

Mr Eastwood described the meetings as “very productive.”

He added: “ It’s clear that we have an emerging consensus to defend the Irish national interest in the face of an isolationist agenda in Britain.

“The SDLP will continue to make the case for an All-Party Forum to tackle the challenges facing this island in the wake of the Brexit vote.

“A collective effort is needed to defend our common interests on trade, stability, security and prosperity and these should be centre of any negotiating position. No party, especially those that have opposed collaboration for decades, can hold a veto over that critical process."