Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, has congratulated the organisers of an independence vote in Catalonia which had a turnout of over 2 million.

Crowe said the huge turnout showed the growing demand and will of the Catalan people to vote on the future status of Catalonia, and the Spanish state needs to respect their legitimate wishes.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“The vote in Catalonia yesterday saw a huge turnout and ultimately was a victory for democracy.

“The Spanish Government refuses to recognise the wish of Catalans to decide their future and it continues to deny them the legal right to hold a binding referendum.

“This vote was organised by over 40,000 people and over 2 million voted. The impressive turnout sends a clear message that they want a democratic, legal, and binding referendum to be held.

“The Spanish Government needs to immediately open negotiations with representatives of the Catalan Government on holding a referendum.

“They cannot continue to try and ignore or ban democracy.”

ENDS