Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence John Brady TD has welcomed the commencement of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The conference is intended to give citizens an opportunity to have their say, and to voice their concerns over the future direction of the EU in the coming years.

Teachta Brady has called for citizens from the north of Ireland to get afforded the same opportunity to have their voices heard.

The Wicklow TD said:

“The Conference on the Future of Europe offers an opportunity for all EU citizens to have an input on the future direction of the EU, and I would encourage civic Ireland to take the opportunity to participate and have their voice heard.

“I believe that it is critically important that the citizens of the north of Ireland are provided with a platform that will allow them to engage constructively with the Conference on the Future of Europe.

“Not only are the citizens of the north of Ireland subject to EU rules and regulations, but I believe that their future, and the future of the whole of the island of Ireland lies within the EU.

““It is also my intention to place the principle of Irish neutrality at the centre of the discourse surrounding the future of the EU.

“Our neutrality has not only served our interests as a nation, but also offers Ireland a unique opportunity to play a significant role on the world stage, as a nation that enjoys the trust and support of the global community as a consequence of our non-aligned status.”