SDLP Foyleside Councillor Mary Durkan
Miss Durkan’s comments followed the passing of her motion calling for an extension of the said transition period by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Said Cllr Durkan: “The clock is ticking, and we are now less than six months away from the cliff-edge of crashing out without a deal.
“We need workable solutions. We need to ensure the implementation of the Irish Protocol to avoid a hard border on this island, to protect all sectors and to protect the Good Friday Agreement.
“The impact of Brexit on the North West of Ireland will be truly unique. There will not be a single life or livelihood here that will not be affected.”
She added: “Naturally governments everywhere have been addressing Covid-19 as an immediate priority, and Brexit negotiations have been disrupted.
“We are only starting to recover from the greatest global health crisis in living history whilst facing the deepest economic recession.
“Our economy was already vulnerable, prior to the pandemic, as a result of Brexit uncertainty coupled with austerity cuts, against a background of decades of chronic economic neglect and regional imbalance.
“The last thing we need here is the chaos of a crash-out Brexit.
“Aside from the economic impact, there are too many questions yet to be answered around workers’ and citizens’ rights and environmental standards.
“At community level many organisations playing a key role in protecting the vulnerable in our midst in recent months will struggle to survive due to losing EU funding.”
Miss Durkan concluded: “The EU has shown an understanding of the bespoke circumstances of this region.
“However, the British Government seems to be acting with blatant disregard for the interests and needs of our people.
“The pain of this reckless pursuit of Brexit at all costs will be acutely felt by our workers, businesses, citizens and families.
“We simply cannot afford to be sidelined.
“An extension to the transition period must be secured as a matter of urgency.”
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