U.S. Congressman Brendan Boyle has introduced a resolution in Congress opposing the re-imposition of a hard border in Northern Ireland.
Congressman Brendan Boyle introduced a resolution on Tuesday, outlining opposition to the establishment of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
“One of the great foreign policy achievements of the 20th century was the Good Friday Agreement (GFA),” Boyle said.
“Brokered by US Special Envoy George Mitchell, and agreed to by the UK, Republic of Ireland, and leading parties in Northern Ireland, it eliminated the hard border that then existed between Northern Ireland the rest of Ireland.
“Now Brexit threatens this. A hard border would eliminate the free flow of people between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which has proved fundamental to promoting peace and unity,” he added.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney is due to travel to Washington DC next week where he will meet key figures in the Irish-American caucus on Capitol Hill amid growing concern in Congress about the direction of Brexit.
“Given the United States is a close ally of both the UK and Republic of Ireland, and given the United States played a leading role in helping facilitate the GFA, it is now time for the United States Congress to make clear we stand in strong opposition to a hard border.
“We must not go backwards.”
The resolution, which was introduced on Tuesday, has now been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration.
It notes that the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Belfast Agreement in a referendum on May 22nd, 1998.
It also highlights the fact the US is one of the guarantors of the agreement.
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