Northern Irish politicians could gain 'observer' status in the European Parliament ahead of potential Irish reunification. Photo / Getty Images
Northern Irish politicians could be reintroduced into the European Parliament in preparation for a united Ireland, the Telegraph can disclose.
More than a dozen MEPs have written to Roberta Metsola, the parliament’s president, requesting special “observer” status for Northern Irish representatives.
In a leaked letter obtained by the Telegraph the group, mainly composed of Irish MEPs, argued that the move “will be keeping the door open to the European project for the people of Northern Ireland” should Ireland be reunified.
Unionists accused the plan’s architects of trying to drag the region back into the European Union.
The letter was signed by several members of Sinn Fein, which has been urging the EU to support its campaign to break up the United Kingdom to create a united Ireland.
“We believe that the Union should recognise this unique position and offer observer status to Northern Ireland political representatives in the European Parliament,” the MEPs wrote.
“This would require a request from the UK Government, however, we see no reason why the European Parliament could not indicate its willingness to respond positively to such a request.”
They argued that the Northern Irish politicians should be granted observer status under EU rules, which allow countries in the process of joining the bloc to send representatives.
Declan Kearney, the Sinn Fein national chairman, told the Telegraph his party had long called for the observer status.
“We also want to see an EU office opened in this region. Our party has repeatedly made the case for both with EU commissioners, diplomats and senior politicians,” he said.
“We are committed to continuing to work with the EU to undo the damage caused by Brexit and ultimately deliver a united Ireland that fully restores our place in the European Union.”
During the Brexit negotiations in 2017, Ireland secured a guarantee from Brussels that Northern Ireland would automatically rejoin the bloc in the event of Irish unity.
People born in Northern Ireland are entitled to an Irish passport, giving them de facto EU citizenship, under the Good Friday Agreement.
The region is also bound to Single Market rules through the Windsor Framework, which was negotiated to prevent a hard border between the North and Republic after Brexit.
“While Northern Ireland remains in the Single Market for goods, its people lack any form of political representation or oversight within the EU Institutions,” the MEPs wrote to Metsola.
“This is despite their inalienable right to a European passport and citizenship, as confirmed by the Good Friday Agreement. Providing observer status would acknowledge their connection to the EU, enhance democratic legitimacy and uphold the principles of the peace process.
“It would also reflect Northern Ireland’s automatic pathway to EU membership in the event of Irish reunification, consistent with the precedent of German reunification and other acceding countries,” they added.
Momentum has been gathering for a border poll since Brexit, with supporters of reunification arguing that an overwhelming majority of Northern Irish voters backed remaining in the EU.
Sinn Fein wants a vote on reunification to be held by 2030.
The Good Friday Agreement states that a referendum must be called by the UK Government if it “appears likely” a majority wants a united Ireland.
However, Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, has argued that the prospect of a border poll is “way off in the distance”.
Gavin Robinson, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader, told the Telegraph, “Northern Ireland needs freedom from EU shackles, not new ties to Brussels. This proposal is about symbolism rather than solutions for Northern Ireland traders.
“The United Kingdom already has official routes for engagement with the EU. We should focus on using those channels to make Brussels understand the flaws of the Windsor Framework and the need for change.”
Lord Dodds, the DUP peer, said: “The Brexit referendum was UK-wide, so creating MEP seats for Northern Ireland runs counter to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom. This is an old, rehashed argument by people who want to abolish Northern Ireland and subsume it into the Irish Republic.
“It is a ruse designed to bring Northern Ireland ever closer to the EU and Dublin and separate us further from a rightful position within the United Kingdom.”
Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, said: “We’ve had enough surrender of UK sovereignty over Northern Ireland, without compounding it by trying to legitimise EU colonial rule in Northern Ireland by the facade of observer status”.
“The fact that the proponents of this ally it to the pursuit of Irish unity underscores the intended endgame of the Protocol,” he added.
Robin Swann, an Ulster Unionist Party MP, said: “Sending observers to the EU, as a precursor for a United Ireland, would be a waste of resources”.
Matthew O’Toole, leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said: “We would call on the UK and Irish governments, as well as the EU, to secure this vital representation for our people”.
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