Debate contribution: European Parliament Observer Status

Debate contribution by Mr Pádraig Delargy on 8 December 2025.

MLA

Mr Pádraig Delargy

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

8 December 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

European Parliament Observer Status

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5284309

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The majority of people in the North voted to remain in the European Union. That democratic choice was overturned, and our communities have been living with the consequences ever since. The loss of EU programmes, reduced study and work opportunities and weakened international links have had a real and lasting impact on an entire generation who see themselves as European and want the same freedoms as their peers across the continent. This is about young people who have lost access to ERASMUS. Although an alternative has been put in place, we are continuing to punish all generations for a decision that the majority of people in the North voted against. Restoring access to study, work, cultural exchange and mobility across Europe must be a priority. Our young people deserve nothing less. Despite those challenges, our economy has shown resilience. The Windsor framework has protected our unique dual market access. Businesses here retain the ability to trade freely with the EU and Britain, an advantage that no other region enjoys. That access is drawing investment, supporting jobs and giving firms confidence about the future. If we look at NISRA figures from 2023, we see that sales between the North and Britain rose in that year by 12·4%. Similarly, purchases between the North and Britain rose by 16·2% in that time. When we look back as far as 2001, we see that cross-border trade then was valued at £1·9 billion, and it was at a similar level in 2015. However, that has grown dramatically since the Windsor framework regulations were put in place. In 2022, that trade was valued at over £7 billion a year. The evidence is clear: the Windsor framework is helping our businesses to grow, protecting our jobs and strengthening our economy. Businesses tell us that they want certainty and that they want to grow by using both markets. At the Economy Committee last week, Invest NI was clear that having dual market access leads to higher exports, more jobs and more skills. Invest NI also highlighted that some companies here will continue to work hard under the current system but will not celebrate that success, because the issue has been politicised by some. We all want our economy to grow. We want opportunities for businesses to develop and for our skilled workforce to expand. That should be a priority for everyone in the Chamber. As the European Parliament considers establishing an observer mechanism for the North, this is an important moment. It recognises that we did not choose Brexit but had it imposed on us; acknowledges our unique position; and gives locally elected representatives a direct voice on decisions that affect our economy, rights and young people's futures. Our message is clear: Ireland belongs in Europe. We should not be disadvantaged because of decisions made in London that have been forced on us. Our businesses thrive through having European access. Our young people need European opportunities, and we will continue working for a future in which those connections are strengthened and fully restored.

505 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:08 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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