Public meeting on Brexit to take place

The public meeting coincides with the launch of a billboard at Free Derry Corner on Monday afternoon proclaiming,’Let the people of Ireland decide’.

The billboard is part of a country wide Sinn Fein campaign calling for a referendum on Irish unity.

The campaign came about after the majority of people in the North voted to remain in the EU.

Sinn Fein MLA for Foyle, Raymond McCartney, told the ‘Journal’ why he thinks the North must be allowed to explore ways of remaining inside the E.U.

“The people of the North clearly voted to remain in the European Union in the referendum,” said Mr. McCartney.

“That vote must be recognised and respected. This is not a done deal and it is still all to play for.

“Sinn Féin will be holding a public meeting in Derry on Wednesday to discuss the impact of the referendum and how we can ensure the democratic will of the people of the North is realised.”

Mr. McCartney said his party would everything in its power to make sure the decision by the North of Ireland to remain inside the EU is recognised.

“This is one of a series of meetings which will be held across the North in the coming days to provide an opportunity for people to make their voice heard and ensure that their vote counts.

“The remain side brought together republicans, nationalists, unionists, trade unions, and wider civic society. Sinn Féin has called for a National Forum to be established to bring together different strands of opinion to discuss our future in the EU. Sinn Féin will continue to work to make sure that the voice of the people of the North is heard and recognised.”

Meanwhile, SDLP MP for Foyle, Mark Durkan, has co-sponsored a parliamentary motion at Westminster calling on the government not to begin the formal process of withdrawal from the EU until its proposals have been fully debated in the House of Commons and voted upon by MPs.

Mr Durkan’s call comes as lawyers acting for a group of business people and academics launched legal proceedings - saying it would be unlawful for a prime minister to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty without a full debate and vote in Parliament.

“The formal process of an exit from the EU must not be started without full and proper parliamentary scrutiny,” said Mr. Durkan.

“The government must not submit its declaration to the European Council invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty unless and until the full proposals it intends to submit to the Commission to activate the process of withdrawal from the EU are debated in full and voted upon by MPs,” he added.