Gerry Adams Q&A Regarding EU Referendum

With just over two weeks to go until Britains biggest decision in recent decades, the EU referendum build up has been showing us all the more about political parties in both where they stand and how they differ on our EU membership.

We have seen UKIP, Labour and even Tory cabinet members expressing why theyd like to leave the European Union, in contrast to the vast majority of politicians in all major U.K political parties who are, by and large, campaigning to remain.

A series of opinion polls have recently suggested that the U.K are prepared to leave the EU with Brexiters now standing on 43%, while 40% say they are going support the campaign that wants the UK to stay in the European Union.

Despite the polls, in recent days, UK trade union leaders have called upon their 6 million members to vote remain , whereas JD Wetherspoons has issued over 200,000 beer mats bearing the argument for Britain to leave the EU .

Northern Ireland, it should be noted, is going to have a huge say in whether the UK is to stay in the EU, or whether it leaves. This isn't any special discovery though, of course, many party leaders - from both remain and leave - have already begun profusely campaigning in Belfast, Derry, Lisburn and a variety of other areas within the Northern Irish vicinity.

Still, the polls in Northern Ireland are suggesting that the public are firmly in favour of remaining within Europe, which is manifested by a recent Ipsos MORI poll carried out on behalf of the Belfast Telegraph .

So, in the week just past I thought it'd be a great idea to get in touch with and ask Gerry Adams TD (long time Irish republican and current president of the all-Ireland political party Sinn Fein) what his thoughts and ideas are regarding the up and coming referendum and how it could potentially effect the island of Ireland.

Gerry Adams Q&A

OZ: With the UK-EU Referendum coming up on June 23rd, what are your 7 biggest concerns from a Northern Irishmans perspective?

GA: I believe Brexit risks having an:

• Adverse impact on the two economies on the island of Ireland.
• Adverse social impact on families and communities.
• Reintroduction of border security controls along the border between the north and south of Ireland.
• Reintroduction of customs controls on the border.
• Detrimental impact on the Good Friday Agreement and the Human Rights Act.
• Adverse impact on equality issues, including equal pay; workers rights laws and anti-discrimination legislation.
• Reinforcement of a two-tier EU.

As an Irish Republican, my concern is for the adverse impact Brexit will have on the whole island of Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement and the peace process have seen a marked increase in cross-border trade on the island. The border is now all but invisible. Brexit will inevitably change that. Families, farmers, tourists and business people travel across the border freely and frequently. A North South Ministerial Council report estimated that as many as 14 million cars cross the border from Newry into my constituency of Louth each year. As a consequence the economy of the island, and in particular the border corridor the counties that lie on each side of the 300-mile border are benefitting.

Hugh Ordes recent warning of the return of border security controls, added to warnings from economists of the reappearance of customs barriers, raises real concerns about the effect of Brexit on the island's economy.

In the event of a vote to leave succeeding, the border that divides Ireland would become an external border of the EU. All other such borders are marked by checkpoints and border controls. Why would this border be any different?

OZ: Do you think Irish and Northern Irish economies are going to be deeply effected by the potential of Brexit, and if so why?

GA: More than 1.2 billion euros is traded each week in goods and services between the north, the south and Britain. Much of this is in agriculture. Thats almost 150 million each day in trade. Thats a lot of jobs and a lot of wages.

In the north, the end of the Single Farm Payment for farmers would result in a loss of 2.5 billion euros. Britain and the north exiting the EU would mean an end to the Rural Development Fund, Structural Funds, and PEACE Funding.

The north would lose 982 million alone in Structural Funds which are crucial for Small and medium businesses, community regeneration and community groups.

In addition, the introduction of trade barriers between the two economies on the island of Ireland and Britain would cost jobs. There are an estimated 200,000 jobs dependent on this trade. Any major alteration in this could have grave implications for Ireland.

OZ: Have you always been Pro EU, or was there a time when you were against a European Union?

GA: There was a time when republicans opposed membership of the EU. That position has evolved. However, Sinn Fin has remained critical of aspects of the EU project and the profound lack of democracy at its core. We do not support a European Union in which a small number of large member states take it upon themselves to dictate economic or other policy to smaller states.

Sinn Fins approach to the European Union can best be described as a critical engagement. Where measures are in the interests of the Irish people, we support them and seek to further them. Where they are not, we oppose them and campaign for change. We do not support the drive for further centralisation of powers in the hands of an unelected EU bureaucracy. Irish citizens do not want to live in a province of a European super-state where technocrats take decisions with no accountability. Sinn Fin has fought, and will continue to fight, for enhanced and protected national sovereignty and has resisted any attempt to undermine or dilute Irish neutrality.

Sinn Fin is working towards a different kind of EU. We want a social Europe constructed, where the undemocratic aspects of the current European architecture are reformed, and in which citizens and sovereign national parliaments have a greater say in formulating positive policy positions as part of the European Union. We want a Europe of equals, of partnership and solidarity, in which member states, at times of adversity, work together in the spirit of co-operation. Challenges we face, such as the refugee crisis at Europe's borders, require collective and collaborative action. This is how the EU could prove its social credentials and we have been vocal in that. The EU should tackle problems we face collectively, and work together to build opportunity and prosperity for citizens of the region.

The European Union has, through the PEACE programmes, supported the Irish peace process and supported projects aimed at fostering peace and reconciliation. Sinn Fin supports a European Union that acts in the interests of citizens, that respects the independence of states, that is democratised and accountable and that encourages economic and social justice.

Over the past decade, the EU has clearly not lived up to that vision; but the prospect that part of our nation could end up outside the European Union while the other part stays in is not a situation we wish to see.

So, in summary, Sinn Fin believes that Irelands place is in the European Union but the European Union needs to change. We will continue to work for an end to the two-tier Europe and replace it with a social European Union that is responsive to the need of its citizens. Consequently, in the referendum around Brexit Sinn Fin is campaigning for the north to remain within the EU.

OZ: Opinion polls show that the UK are split on whether to remain or leave the EU, but having said this Sinn Fin, the SDLP, Alliance and Ulster Unionist Party , SNP, Labour, a lot of Conservatives, Lib Dems, Greens all oppose Brexit. With the majority of parties wanting to stay, how can these polls be showing that most people are split on deciding, in your opinion?

GA: As was evident in the last British general election when the Tories won a majority, opinion polls are not always right. The only poll that matters will be on June 23rd when the people have their say.

OZ: It may be a tough one to answer: Martin McGuiness has described the potential Brexit as absolutely economically disastrous which of course falls in line with the Sinn Fein stance of wanting to remain, but do you know the reasons behind the parties stance of not wanting to join the EEC BACK IN 1972? And what has changed Gerry?

GA: The reality is that membership of the EU has been beneficial for the island of Ireland. Not only in terms of our economy, but also in respect of social and human rights legislation. As I outlined above we still have serious concerns about the structure of the EU and will continue to work to change it.

The EU has guaranteed rights in relation to equal pay for men and women, protection of holiday hours and maternity rights. It has promoted fairness in the workplace, challenged discrimination and guaranteed adequate levels of health and safety. We are concerned that the rights provided via membership of the EU would be threatened, diluted or removed in the case of a Brexit.

The planned repeal of the Human Rights Act is evidence of the direction this British government is willing to take in relation to the protection and provision of rights. The Human Rights Act underpins the Good Friday Agreement, the internationally recognised peace treaty, lodged at the United Nations, that helped usher in peace and power sharing in the north of Ireland. Specifically commissioned legal advice into the planned repeal claims that to scrap the Human Rights Act would constitute an attack on the Good Friday Agreement.

Whilst not connected to EU membership, the planned scrapping of the Human Rights Act shows the disdain with which this government holds the provision of human rights. If Brexit was to occur, who's to say their attention wouldn't turn to scrapping some of the hard-won rights guaranteed by the European Union?

OZ: A bit further afield, Ive always wondered have you not ever fancied becoming an MEP yourself? Not that Id want to compare you with Nigel Farage, but he has shown that both duties can be fulfilled with running a party and representation in Europe

GA: Sinn Fin has a breadth of talented representatives and activists. We currently have four excellent MEPs in the European Parliament who are part of our collective leadership.

The Sinn Fin teams in the European Parliament, in the north's Assembly and in the Dil, along with our four MPs and 250 Councillors work closely together.

My role as party leader and Sinn Fins objective of building greater political strength in the south of Ireland led to a decision in 2011 that I stand for the Dil. The people of Louth have given me and Sinn Fin a mandate for which I am very grateful and my concern is now representing them to the best of my ability.

OZ: How beneficial do you see a remain in Europe for todays youth of Northern Ireland?

GA: Membership of the European Union has been beneficial for our society and young people are no exception. The EU affords young people the opportunity to work or study in other member states. Many have taken up those opportunities. The EU provides considerable support for our universities in relation to both research and funding. Our whole society benefits from such things. The freedom to travel not only allows 5,200 students to cross the Irish border to study, it also allows them to travel freely across Europe broadening their horizons with ease.

Our community voluntary sector, in many cases youth-led or youth orientated, has benefited from EU membership and could suffer in the case of a Brexit.

OZ: Do you think David Cameron should resign from his post as the UK prime minister if the UK does decide to leave? please give your reasons for either way.

GA: Thats entirely a matter for David Cameron and the Conservative party.

OZ: Finally, on a lighter note, how optimistic are you for Northern Irelands chances in this summer's European Football Tournament?

GA: I wish the two Irish teams well. Qualifying for the Euros was an outstanding achievement for both teams and I'm sure thousands of fans are looking forward to the next few weeks of soccer. I have very fond memories of Jack Charltons time as manager of the Ireland team. However, I dont think we will ever achieve our full potential in the sport until there is as in rugby one Irish team representing the island of Ireland!