Northern Irish employers urge MPs to protect peace and progress

Last week Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said the bloc would not use the Northern Irish border backstop to force the UK into a customs union against the will of the Government.

Barnier said the UK would be able to exit the customs union without first securing agreement from the EU under plans aimed at ending the impasse over the issue.

However, this could only happen if other aspects of the backstop, which aims to prevent a hard border with Ireland, were maintained.

This set-up could mean Northern Ireland operates under different rules to those applying to the rest of the UK, including Remain-voting Scotland, potentially giving the statelet a trading advantage and creating a border in the Irish Sea.

That has already been rejected by Theresa May and denounced by the DUP as neither “realistic nor sensible”.

Now, in an open letter, more than 50 Northern Irish employers have urged MPs to “compromise” to ensure neither the peace process and economic process is derailed by a no-deal withdrawal.

They include financial powerhouses Allianz and Danske Bank, defence multi-nationals Bombardier Aerospace and Thales, and key soft drinks player Coca-Cola Hellenic Northern Ireland.

Citing “deep concern”, the letter states that the “negative economic impact is already starting to bite”, claiming that infrastructure funding and investment capabilities have both been hit.

It goes on: “The peace and economic progress that flowed from the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement

cannot be overlooked at this critical time in the UK’s history. All Members of Parliament must consider the burden of responsibility that they now carry for this region’s future.

“Local companies in Northern Ireland urge politicians to compromise, make progress and ensure ‘no deal’ is taken off the table.”

The Sunday intervention was made as MPs prepared to turn out for tomorrow’s crunch vote.

Signatories to the letter – including Irish energy provider Viridian Group and Bangor-based hairbrush producer Denman International – claim Brexit uncertainty has already contributed to “significant skill and labour shortages”.

The letter, backed by business body CBI NI, continues: “Failure to approve a deal with Europe on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU will have significant repercussions for the local economy. Such a scenario will both hinder indigenous and foreign direct investment, it would result in significant job losses and will stifle opportunities for the next generation across Northern Ireland.

“The private sector has consistently stated that peace and prosperity are mutually dependent.

“A no-deal Brexit will undoubtedly result in creating regulatory and tariff differences across the island of Ireland and will therefore have direct consequences for border checks and crossings.

“We therefore urge MPs across the UK to consider the damaging impact on Northern Ireland’s economy and political stability in the event of a no-deal Brexit.”

Nigel Dodds, deputy leader of the DUP, has said Barnier’s suggestion “disrespects the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom”.

He stated: “This is an attempt to get ahead of a possible blame game and appear positive when in reality it is going backwards to something rejected a year ago.”