Does Fianna Fáil endorse Chambers’ criticism of draft Brexit deal? – Richmond

For the last three days Fianna Fáil’s Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers has led an ill-conceived campaign seeking to undermine the Government’s approach to the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and EU, Senator Neale Richmond claimed.

“The EU and the negotiating team led by Michel Barnier secured a good draft deal for Ireland. However, we still have a long way to go and the work continues.

“Our focus remains firm – no hard border in Ireland and the best possible final settlement of this long drawn out saga through our ongoing commitment to the EU,” Senator Richmond said.

“In recent days, the draft deal has been welcomed by all in the Republic apart from the lead Brexit spokesperson of Fianna Fáil who believes we should not have informed the public, we serve, of the Government’s position. Why? Do people not have a right to know about the draft agreement? Should businesses across the country not be informed of the latest developments?

“Deputy Chambers’ approach is startling. Does Fianna Fáil endorse her position? What does party leader Micheál Martin have to say about his deputy’s approach?

“If Deputy Chambers was serious about influencing the vote in Westminster she could easily pick up the phone to the 12 Liberal Democrat MPs who are part of Fianna Fáil’s European political family and ask them to back the deal. Why won’t she do that?

“Unlike the last Fianna Fáil Government which oversaw the collapse of the country’s economy, destroyed our reputation worldwide, Fine Gael have, and always will be, committed to the European project,” Senator Richmond said.