Derry man Durkan wants to be 'Brexit watchdog' for Dublin

Dublin European MEP candidate Mark Durkan. Picture: Steve Humphreys

John Downing

Dublin Euro MEP contender Mark Durkan has said he can act as a Brexit watchdog for jobs and prosperity in the capital if elected on May 24.

The former Northern Ireland deputy first minister defended his decision not to pledge to move from his Derry family home if elected.

He said it would have been too easy to make "a phoney claim" of relocating - and restated his pledge to maintain an office and a strong presence in Dublin.

The Fine Gael candidate said there was a strong commitment among Dublin voters to peace in Northern Ireland as they had endorsed the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in the referendum by 95pc - a higher rate than in the North itself.

"While I am standing to sustain peace in the North I will work to support prosperity in Dublin and jobs in future negotiations on Brexit," he said.

Mr Durkan said he was working well with fellow candidate, former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.

He said both had a proven record on fighting for citizens' rights.

He said Brexit was not the only "big EU issue", citing workers' rights and climate change as priorities.