Sinn Fein President: EU should hold "emergency summit" on "Irish issues"

By Adam Evans

Sinn Fein's President has urged the EU to call a special summit on Brexit issues relating to the island of Ireland.

Mary Lou McDonald and a delegation from the party have been meeting with Brussels' Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier.

She says Irish issues need to be dealt with before the withdrawal agreement is closed.

In a statement released after the meeting, Ms McDonald said: 

"Last week’s visit by Theresa May to Belfast has raised very serious concerns over the British government’s approach to Brexit. 

"In December we were told that a ‘backstop’ was a cast-iron guarantee, that the Good Friday Agreement would be protected in word and spirit, and that there would be no diminution of rights for Irish and EU citizens in the north.

"The British government is seeking to row back on these commitments and to bin the December agreement. Theresa May is placing her personal self-interest to stay in Downing Street ahead of the needs of Ireland, North and South.

"The British government is now engaged in a game of brinkmanship which puts our all-island economy and our agreements at risk. There is no certainty and no clarity on Irish interests. 

"The EU has made clear that without the ‘backstop’ there will be no Withdrawal Agreement and that the interests of Ireland must be dealt with in line with the December agreement.  

"Michel Barnier assured us this remains the case and that Britain must agree workable solutions in line with the December agreement. 

"We believe that this must be given affect and the EU should call time on British Government stalling. The EU should hold a special summit in advance of October to resolve Irish issues before closing on the withdrawal agreement."