Statement from Tánaiste Simon Coveney after meeting with Emma and Jake De Souza
Press release
17 December 2019Statement from Tánaiste Simon Coveney after meeting with Emma and Jake De Souza
“I met with Emma and Jake De Souza and a number of political representatives in Belfast today.
We agreed that more needs to be done to support confidence in the Citizenship and Identity provisions of the Good Friday Agreement for all of the people of Northern Ireland.
People in Northern Ireland have a right to identify and be accepted as Irish or British or both as they may so choose and to hold both British and Irish citizenship, as guaranteed by the Agreement. No one should have to go to court to be able to assert that right effectively.
The Government will keep engaging with the British Government to seek that this key provision of the Good Friday Agreement is meaningfully provided for in respect of the concerns raised by the De Souza’s case, and in other areas, as a matter of urgency.
We will also be remaining in ongoing contact with Emma and Jake De Souza and as their case continues.“
ENDS
Press Office
17 December 2019
