Are Fianna Fáil becoming the leave party? – Richmond

A series of anti-EU comments from Fianna Fáil TD, Margaret Murphy O’Mahony has forced Fine Gael Senator and spokesman on European Affairs, Neale Richmond, to ask are Fianna Fáil becoming the party of leave?

“Last week, we heard Deputy Murphy O’Mahony call, in the Dáil, for restrictions on EU imports into Ireland – a move that is a direct breach of the rules of the EU’s Single Market.

“Now this weekend, we see the same Deputy – using the decision by at risk fishing vessels to seek shelter in Bantry Bay and Castletownbere harbour at the height of Storm Atiyah – to voice her opposition on Twitter to foreign fishing vessels being in Irish waters.

“Such comments from the Deputy run contrary to another key aspect of the EU which is the Common Fisheries Policy.

“Membership of the EU is supported by 93% of Irish people while membership of the Single Market and the Common Fisheries Parliament are central planks of that membership.

“This series of ill-informed outbursts from Deputy Murphy O’Mahony are either grossly ignorant or run counter to our membership of the EU. They force me to ask are Fianna Fáil becoming the party of Leave,” Senator Richmond asked.

“These recent outbursts from Fianna Fáil TDs are very worrying at a time when how we work with our European partners is tantamount to overcoming future challenges and ensuring the best possible outcome for this island in relation to the threat posed from Brexit.

“Does Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin stand by these comments and put his party at odds to the Irish Government on these matters? I would be interested to hear,” Senator Richmond added.