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DUP leader Arlene Foster has warned it would be \u201ccatastrophic\u201d to create a barrier between Britain and Northern Ireland, as she traveled to Brussels for talks.<\/p>\nDUP leader Arlene Foster has warned it would be \u201ccatastrophic\u201d to create a barrier between Britain and Northern Ireland, as she traveled to Brussels for talks.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster will meet the European Union\u2019s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Tuesday to set out her red line on the issue, warning against any attempt to \u201cannex\u201d Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
The UK Government has promised to set out further proposals on the \u201cbackstop\u201d arrangement aimed at avoiding a hard border with Ireland, with speculation that it could involve regulatory checks on goods travelling between Britain and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
The DUP\u2019s 10 MPs play a critical role in propping up Theresa May\u2019s minority administration at Westminster and Mrs Foster said her party\u2019s only red line was the prevention of a new border being created in the Irish Sea.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want the June 2016 referendum result to be respected and implemented,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA majority of people throughout the United Kingdom voted to take back control of their money, laws and borders. Whilst many in Brussels may not agree with the referendum outcome, the result must be respected.\u201d<\/p>\n
The EU\u2019s proposed backstop would see Northern Ireland effectively remain in the customs union and single market while the rest of the UK shifts away from Brussels\u2019 rules, something the British Prime Minister has already said would be unacceptable.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said: \u201cAs we leave the EU, we should do so as one nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe United Kingdom single market must be protected with no new borders between Northern Ireland and Great Britain being created. From day one this has been the DUP\u2019s only red line.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis red line is recognizing that Great Britain is Northern Ireland\u2019s biggest market.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver 70% of all goods leaving Belfast port are destined for Great Britain. To create a barrier to that trade would be catastrophic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland must retain \u201cunfettered access\u201d to the British market and also be able to fully benefit from any new trade deals struck by the UK after Brexit, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur red line also respects and protects Northern Ireland\u2019s constitutional place in the United Kingdom,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany who claim to respect the Belfast Agreement fail to respect the principle of consent which was part of that agreement. Indeed, they would happily redraw the border and annex Northern Ireland away from the rest of the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n
She called for a \u201csensible\u201d Brexit which works for both the UK and Ireland.<\/p>\n