Brexit, a united Ireland, Sinn Féin abstentionism, the Irish language and restoring Stormont were some of the issues senior Northern Ireland politicians clashed over during a debate ahead of Westminster general election polling day. Ms Long said Brexit “has certainly made Northern Ireland less stable”. Ms O’Neill said 35 SNP MPs couldn’t stop Brexit and “one or two Irish MPs will never make a difference”. Mr Donaldson repeated his opposition to Mr Johnson’s deal insisting it would create a border down the Irish Sea. Her fear was that the blow that Northern Ireland “will suffer as a result of Brexit will set us back even further”.

Source: The Irish Times December 10, 2019 22:52 UTC