Baluarte
07-10-2013, 01:50 PM
We'll introduce new controls on border, declares anti-EU party's leader
BY ADRIAN RUTHERFORD – 09 JULY 2013
UKIP boss Nigel Farage says he'd allow the Irish border to stay open – but would introduce stricter controls on who could cross it if his party was in power.
Irish residents would be able to travel north but foreign nationals in the Republic would have to apply for work permits to do so, he said.
He was speaking as he brought his anti-EU message to Belfast in a bid to build support ahead of next year's European and council elections.
The party has one MLA and a councillor in the province, but Mr Farage insists there is a real hunger for a fresh approach. The Ukip leader also claimed:
* His party has support in the Republic.
* Northern Ireland has been failed by Europe, despite billions of pounds from EU grants.
* Ukip will field at least two candidates in every area at the next council elections.
He believes the party is a positive addition to the political scene.
"We are the only genuinely UK-wide political party in operation in the UK today; our Euro-scepticism is not open to question and we also have a genuinely non-sectarian approach to politics," he said. "I believe that would be a healthy injection to the Northern Irish political debate."
Mr Farage has repeatedly demanded stronger border controls to tackle the growth in immigration, but has pledged to allow free movement for Irish people between Northern Ireland and the Republic if his party held power.
"The open border with the South has been good for us, too, let's remember that," he stated.
Northern Ireland has benefited from billions in EU funding but Mr Farage, whose party is intent on pulling the UK out of the EU, insists the real costs are hidden. "Even if you have had a good run out of it, it's finished," he added.
Ukip MLA David McNarry said: "There are people down south wanting to join Ukip.
"These are not old members of the aristocracy from the Wicklow hills, these are people from Ballymun.
"They have nobody to vote for. One wants to start a branch in Dublin."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukips-nigel-farage-wants-tighter-controls-on-northern-ireland-and-republic-border-29404652.html
BY ADRIAN RUTHERFORD – 09 JULY 2013
UKIP boss Nigel Farage says he'd allow the Irish border to stay open – but would introduce stricter controls on who could cross it if his party was in power.
Irish residents would be able to travel north but foreign nationals in the Republic would have to apply for work permits to do so, he said.
He was speaking as he brought his anti-EU message to Belfast in a bid to build support ahead of next year's European and council elections.
The party has one MLA and a councillor in the province, but Mr Farage insists there is a real hunger for a fresh approach. The Ukip leader also claimed:
* His party has support in the Republic.
* Northern Ireland has been failed by Europe, despite billions of pounds from EU grants.
* Ukip will field at least two candidates in every area at the next council elections.
He believes the party is a positive addition to the political scene.
"We are the only genuinely UK-wide political party in operation in the UK today; our Euro-scepticism is not open to question and we also have a genuinely non-sectarian approach to politics," he said. "I believe that would be a healthy injection to the Northern Irish political debate."
Mr Farage has repeatedly demanded stronger border controls to tackle the growth in immigration, but has pledged to allow free movement for Irish people between Northern Ireland and the Republic if his party held power.
"The open border with the South has been good for us, too, let's remember that," he stated.
Northern Ireland has benefited from billions in EU funding but Mr Farage, whose party is intent on pulling the UK out of the EU, insists the real costs are hidden. "Even if you have had a good run out of it, it's finished," he added.
Ukip MLA David McNarry said: "There are people down south wanting to join Ukip.
"These are not old members of the aristocracy from the Wicklow hills, these are people from Ballymun.
"They have nobody to vote for. One wants to start a branch in Dublin."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukips-nigel-farage-wants-tighter-controls-on-northern-ireland-and-republic-border-29404652.html