* NI 100

Brexit: No risk to NI's place in UK, says Sammy Wilson

   By Mark Simpson
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     * Brexit

   Sammy Wilson
   image captionSammy Wilson says he believes Brexit will strengthen the
   economy and the union

   The DUP MP, Sammy Wilson, has rejected suggestions that Northern
   Ireland's place within the UK will be jeopardised by the new Brexit
   arrangements.

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   vote against it at Westminster this week.

   But the party still believes Brexit is the best way forward.

   Meanwhile, the NI Executive has been recalled, and will meet at 12:00
   GMT on Wednesday to debate a non-binding motion on the deal.

   Mr Wilson, the DUP's Brexit spokesman, said he believed the economy
   would grow as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU,
   strengthening the union.

   The post-Brexit trade deal
   has been approved by EU ambassadors, paving the way for it to take
   effect on 1 January.
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   It was confirmed on Monday evening the Stormont assembly will also
   return early from Christmas recess to debate the post-Brexit trade
   deal.

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   SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said his party will not "support this form
   of Brexit or any other form of Brexit", describing it as a "thin deal."

   He did, however, welcome some of the "protections" for Northern
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   "Absolutely as a result of this I think we are much further down the
   road now, it's just how we manage it and how we get there."
     * Quick guide to what's in the Brexit deal
     * Brexit: Seven things that will change on 1 January

   But Mr Wilson said: "I can guarantee that once people in Northern
   Ireland - unionists and nationalists, Catholics and Protestants - look
   at the benefits of being part of the fifth biggest economy in the
   world, and an economy that I believe will grow as a result of Brexit
   and strengthen as a result of Brexit… I believe that they will
   understand that their future lies with Britain."

   The East Antrim MP said being within the UK was much better than any
   alternative arrangements.
   A farmer in a tractor drives anti-Brexit protest past signs near the
   Irish border image copyrightPA Media
   image captionA united Ireland will not become more likely due to
   Brexit, says Sammy Wilson

   He said the Republic of Ireland "gets tossed in the sea of economic
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   He added: "I know that nationalists, or some nationalists, think that
   Brexit will be the catalyst for a united Ireland.

   "The only catalyst for a united Ireland will be when the people of
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   part of the UK."

   The DUP's decision to vote against the post-Brexit trade deal was
   confirmed on Monday evening.

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     * Sammy Wilson
     * DUP (Democratic Unionist Party)
     * Brexit

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