IRISH Labour MP Conor McGinn has tabled amendments to the European Union Withdrawal Bill which would guarantee the rights of Irish citizens in Britain post-Brexit.
Mr McGinn, who is Chair of the All Party Group on Ireland and the Irish in Britain, is calling for the status of Irish people living and working in Britain to be placed on the statute book.
His changes to the EU Bill, which would come into force after clearing parliamentary hurdles in the House of Commons and House of Lords, will guarantee the rights of Irish citizens to vote in UK General Elections and to travel freely throughout Britain under Common Travel Area rules.
Commenting on the changes, Mr McGinn said: “The UK Parliament has a duty of care to Irish citizens living here who are contributing to the British economy and British society.
“Hundreds of thousands of older Irish people in particular have lived in Britain for decades.
“This is their home and where they have worked, raised families and made huge contributions to their communities.
"This uncertainty around their status is causing them a great deal of anxiety."
He added: “MPs from all Parties should get behind these amendments and support the rights and protections of Irish citizens – their constituents – in Britain.”
Mr McGinn’s amendments would also see the principles of the Good Friday Agreement reaffirmed by law for the first time.
Those provisions of the Belfast Agreement that would be protected include the status of the Irish language, citizenship rights and the free movement of people, goods and services.
Mr McGinn said that following the UK’s departure from the EU, Irish citizens in Britain should be “guaranteed” the same rights they enjoyed prior to last year’s referendum.
“As the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, it is vital that the rights and the status of Irish citizens in the Britain are protected by law,” he said.
“That’s why I am calling for full recognition of Irish citizens’ rights to live, travel and work freely throughout the UK to be enshrined in law through my amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.
“EU negotiators have rightly said that Ireland must be a top priority and the Government must respect that and not betray Irish citizens here in Britain as it moves towards Brexit.”
