UUP issues blueprint for action as Brexit looms

Entitled “A Vision for Northern Ireland outside the European Union” and made public on Monday, it suggests a string of actions which the DUP/Sinn Fein Executive should take – including persuading the EU to fund a new “peace centre” in place of the moribund proposal for one at the Maze site.

The UUP said the document represents the party’s “initial thoughts” on Brexit, and its leader Mike Nesbitt said in a statement: “Northern Ireland will be the most affected region of the UK by Brexit, but it is already clear we are the least prepared.”

Point two of the proposals is that the whole of Northern Ireland should be turned into an “enterprise zone”.

Such zones are typically established as fairly small locales, and can offer things like tax and rates relief.

Point four states that the Executive should make sure “no group in Northern Ireland is worse off financially as a direct result of Brexit, for a minimum of five years”.

Meanwhile, point eight calls for businesses to have “continued access to the European Single Market on terms no less favourable than current arrangements”.

The 10th point states: “Revive EU interest in funding a physical centre dedicated to peace and reconciliation.”

It calls the old Maze plan “discredited”, and adds: “Rather than allowing the debilitating stalemate at the Maze to continue, the Executive should engage the EU in funding a peace centre at an alternative venue, reclaiming the former Crumlin Road Courthouse, reopening the tunnel connecting the Courthouse to the highly successfully reimagined gaol.”

It continues: “Additionally, as a final pre-Brexit legacy project, the Executive should seek EU funding for a People’s Park, celebrating the global impact across all aspects of life of the people born in the north east of this island.

“It should be a virtual and physical project, with the latter based at Titanic Quarter, where record numbers of tourists arrive on cruise ships.

“As one example of the proposal’s potential, many visitors are American but unaware of the heritage of Ulster-Scots US presidents whose homesteads they pass close to, en route to the Giant’s Causeway.”

Mr Nesbitt said: “Our vision is of Northern Ireland as the UK’s gateway to the EU. We will be the only region of the Kingdom with a land border with the European Union, and rather than look at the border as a problem, we should maximise the potential.

“Over the coming years, the Government will be engaged in a whole series of negotiations and it is imperative that the Northern Ireland Executive speaks loudly, clearly and coherently about what needs to be done.

“That is why we propose a ‘War Room’ properly resourced to coordinate Executive departments, defining policy options, priorities and what leverage we can bring to bear in discussions with HM Government.

“Be in no doubt, HM Government’s priorities will not be ours.”