COMMENTS by politicians north and south of the border on how people in Northern Ireland will respond to Brexit has sparked debate.
Speaking in Brussels Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been quoted as saying the majority of those living in Northern Ireland will view an Irish passport as a convenient way to navigate the landscape post Brexit.
But his views were taken to task by a DUP MP who branded the idea ‘ludicrous and absurd’.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met with EU leaders in Brussels last week. (Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images)Ahead of a European Council summit meeting with EU leaders, The Irish Times quotes Mr Varadkar as saying: “One point I made to them was that, and it does surprise some European leaders, was that after the UK leaves the EU that it’s very likely that the majority of people in Northern Ireland will be Irish and European citizens.
"Because even people from a unionist background will want to become Irish and European citizens at the very least for the convenience.”
But speaking in the Sunday Business Post yesterday DUP MP for East Londonderry Gregory Campbell took aim at the Taoiseach’s comments.
“I think it is odd for him to say that applying for a passport is a person making a political point and that he would make such a statement without producing any evidence to back it up,” he said.
DUP MP Gregory Campbell, pictured with party leader Arlene Foster, wasn't so happy about the Taoiseach's comments (Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)Mr Campbell said there were thousands in the Republic who have become British citizens and many reasons why people would choose one nationality over or in addition to another.
He said a parliamentary question had shown that 10,000 people a year in the Republic applied for a UK passport in the last decade.
“The numbers are increasing and that is something he did not take into account,” he said. “Businesses owners could have access to the EU with an Irish passport and access to the UK with a British one.
"There are some people who avail of two passports because it makes travel much simpler and offers entitlement to things like free healthcare while they are abroad."
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— Cate McClean (@shankill_heart) 23 October 2017
Ulster? I'm from Ulster and part of the republic. Presume you mean Northern Ireland? Formed by partition at end of British rule in the South
— Martin McConigley (@MMcConigley) 23 October 2017
I think NOT #Brexit #Ireland #weare2023 @campaignforleo ?????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/gcAVbJLmKN
— Sausage bap (@sausagebap1972) 23 October 2017
People from Northern Ireland are already Irish. Some are just living in denial ;)
— Robert Hamilton (@robertdhamilton) 23 October 2017
???soon b all one??
— slieve gullion 1 (@slievegullion1) 23 October 2017
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