Does Fianna Fáil support the European Union and Government on the backstop – Richmond

FIANNA Fáil leader Micheál Martin needs to clarify if he backs the European Union and Government’s position on the backstop, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond said the Fianna Fáil leader’s interview on Morning Ireland on  RTÉ Radio 1 this morning left listeners scratching their heads as to his party’s position on Brexit.

“Today, Deputy Martin openly questioned the 2017 political declaration which brought us the backstop. He called again for bilateral negotiations which would bypass the European Union (EU). Deputy Martin said this should have happened before. This is revisionist politics and double-standards.

“This is an incredible statement as we are one of 27 European countries who negotiate through the EU with the UK. This has always been the case, but Deputy Martin has suggested we should have done otherwise this morning. The British Prime Minister acknowledged in Dublin yesterday that negotiations take place through the EU but Micheál Martin wants Ireland to bypass that.”

Senator Richmond, the Chairman of the Seanad Brexit Committee, said, “Fianna Fáil have constantly flip-flopped on Brexit through party representatives’ tweets and public statements and you would have to wonder does the Government have their full support?

“Does Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil fully support the European Union, Government, Taoiseach and Tánaiste in Brexit. They need to clarify this and be clear on their position so that the Irish public know exactly where they stand,” Senator Richmond said.