Civic society organisations sign joint statement calling for prevention of no deal Brexit

Q Newsdesk

Almost 30 civic society organisations in Northern Ireland have signed a joint statement calling for the prevention of a no deal Brexit.

Among its signatories are Retail NI, the Ulster Farmers Union, Manufacturing NI, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

The prospect of a no-deal looks increasingly likely with the new Prime Minister vowing to pull the UK out of the EU on October 31st.

Today the 27 groups are sending delegates to an event in Belfast to discuss the impact of a hard Brexit.

Seamus McAleavey is the Chief Executive of NICVA, who are co-hosting the event

He says they want politicians to take notice

The joint statement reads as follows:

“Northern Ireland’s leading civic society organisations representing business, trade unions, farming, and voluntary and community sector interests are calling for the imminent potential disaster of a no deal Brexit to be prevented.

A no deal Brexit would be hugely detrimental for Northern Ireland’s economic, social, and political well-being and future.

Northern Ireland civic society believes that a no deal Brexit must be prevented under any circumstances to avoid the major damage it would inflict to this and future generations in Northern Ireland”

The statement is supported by the following civic society organisations:

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

NICVA (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action)

Ulster Farmers’ Union

Northern Ireland Retail Consortium

CO3

Northern Ireland Freight Transport Association

Women in Business NI Ltd

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland

Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland

Manufacturing NI

Children in Northern Ireland

Social Enterprise NI

Community Organisations of South Tyrone and Areas (COSTA)

NI Human Rights Consortium

Parenting NI

Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency

NI Youth Forum

Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association

Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA)

Northern Ireland Hotels Federation

Foyle Port

Londonderry Chamber of Commerce

The Ashton Centre

NI Tourism Alliance (TBC)

Retail NI

Equality Coalition