The Ad-Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement has issued a press release endorsing Congressman Richard Neal’s statement on Brexit negotiations and the Good Friday Agreement.
AD HOC COMMITTEE TO PROTECT THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Contact: Kevin J. Sullivan skjsully33@gmail.com
Statement on current Brexit negotiations & the Good Friday Agreement
The Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement fully endorses the statement released yesterday by the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Congressman Richard Neal that the “The UK’s departure from the EU at the end of this year and any U.S.-UK trade agreement must preserve the Good Friday Agreement, which has maintained peace and prosperity for British and European peoples since 1998.” The Chairman and the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi did not visit the Irish Border a few years ago to count the sheep on both sides of the border. They went to deliver a clear and concise message that the United States remains vigilant in protecting the gains made under the Good Friday Agreement and that any future UK/US trade deal is contingent on protecting the peace process.
The absence of a hard land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the most tangible aspects of the Agreement and remains central to the speedy economic recovery of both Ireland and Northern Ireland following the economic downturn caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. The Ad Hoc Committee believes that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement must be fully implemented in all of its parts with special attention given to equality and human rights provisions.
The current status of trade negotiations between the UK and the E.U. remain a concern to us. We believe that the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement is a hard won compromise that requires respect from all parties given its status as an International Agreement. Political leaders and trade negotiators may sabre rattle all they want as they seek to negotiate a much needed trade deal but the Good Friday Agreement cannot be viewed as a bargaining chip.
Irish America has a deep abiding interest in Ireland’s future and sudden political U turns to gain momentary advantage at the expense of the peace process can quickly erode a trust that has taken years to establish. The British government must weigh its next steps carefully and consider its long term economic and political relationship with the United States as it goes forward.
About: The Ad Hoc Committee is chaired by former Congressman James Walsh (R.NY) and former Congressman Bruce Morrison (D. Conn). Ad Hoc Committee is bipartisan and represents the broad spectrum of Irish American groups, organizations and senior leadership. Many members have a long established history of political and diplomatic engagement in helping to secure the GFA and maintaining the peace process. Follow us on Twitter at @HocGfa
AdHocGFA.org 