DERRY City and Strabane District Council’s Mayor Cllr Maolíosa McHugh welcomed the European Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier to Derry today as part of his two-day visit to Ireland and Northern Ireland.During his visit to the City, Mr Barnier – dubbed ‘Mr Brexit’ in Europe – met with the Chief Executives of Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Councils. John Kelpie and Seamus Neely, as well as a range of business stakeholders, cross border groups and companies from the area.
Mr Barnier, as part of his visit took a tour of the historic Guildhall where he was introduced to the Exhibition on the history of the Ulster Plantation and the Siege of Derry and took part in a short walking tour of the historic City Walls.
Welcoming Mr Barnier’s visit to the city, the Mayor Councillor Maolíosa McHugh said he was very pleased that Mr Barnier took time out of his busy schedule to visit Derry and to meet with key businesses and organisations to hear at first hand about their concerns and to give an update on the negotiations.
“The visit was hugely beneficial to everyone involved and a very good opportunity for local businesses and organisations to hear at first hand from Mr Barnier on how EU proposals on Brexit are progressing.
“It was reassuring to hear from Mr Barnier about his commitment to maintaining the strong cross border exchanges on the island of Ireland after Brexit.
“I was very impressed with his knowledge and understanding of the situation here in Derry, Tyrone and Donegal and his commitment to seeking practical operational solutions to a complex issue with the provision of a free standing backstop that will ensure there is no hard border on the island of Ireland.”
The Mayor added that Council will continue to work proactively to look at opportunities and address issues identified as a result of Brexit.
John Kelpie, Chief Executive with Derry City and Strabane District Council said the meeting with Mr Barnier was a very good opportunity to showcase the positive work the Council is doing to mitigate the impact of the challenge of Brexit and maximise the opportunities resulting from it.
He said: “Our research to date demonstrates that it is imperative to ensure that our strategic priorities are realised in relation to connectivity, skills development and infrastructure provision to strengthen our competitive position in what is likely to be a potentially more challenging environment in a post-Brexit era.
“As a Council we are doing a lot of proactive work through our Strategic Growth Plan, and in partnership with our neighbouring Councils, to strengthen our infrastructure, skills base and economy and our ability to absorb any of the coming changes.
“We will continue to engage with all of those who live and work in the region and look at identifying specific actions required assist with this as the situation develops,” he added.
Michel Barnier was greeted at the Guildhall in Derry by Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson.
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier walked Derry’s Peace Bridge during a visit to the city today
She suggested that fellow MEPs, the DUP’s Diane Dodds and Ulster Unionist Jim Nicholson, were failing to represent the unionist people by “snubbing” Mr Barnier.
“I think it’s unfortunate that they haven’t turned up,” she said. “The parliament is not open today.”
Last week, Mrs Dodds and Mr Nicholson issued a joint statement welcoming Mr Barnier’s visit but expressed disappointment that it was announced by a Sinn Féin MP.
Mrs Dodds said she had already committed to meetings in London and could not meet him.
During his whirlwind tour of the city, Mr Barnier walked along Derry’s historic walls and was shown around the Bogside, where the events of Bloody Sunday took place in 1972.
Dr Malachy O’Neill, Provost of the Magee Campus, Ulster University, said the implications for research funding were discussed during a “very frank open discussion”.
He added: “I think he’s minded to come up with a solution that works best for the unique scenario that we have in this region.
“We’re as positive as we can be in, I suppose, what’s an overall negative situation.”
Mr Barnier said he was delighted to be in the “historic and vibrant” city of Derry, and added that he had already enjoyed a walk on the Peace Bridge.
Mayor Maoliosa McHugh with the EU’s Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier during a visit to the Guildhall today
