Taoiseach Enda Kenny, left, with Housing Minister Simon Coveney at a press conference last fall.
ROLLING NEWS.IE/SAM BOAL
By Evan Short
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union will have “significant economic, political and social implications” for Ireland, according to the Irish government.
It comes as the British government finally triggered Article 50, which starts their divorce proceedings from the EU. Speaking in the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Theresa May urged the UK to come together on its “momentous journey.”
Yet, only days into Britain starting negotiations into its future relationship with the EU, a war of words has broken out between the UK and Spain over the future of the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. That has led to Fianna Fáil accusing the Irish government of not pushing for a better deal regarding Northern Ireland.
With the Brexit phoney war now over and the real business beginning, a spokesperson for the Irish government said they had been working “very hard” for more than two years to engage with all sectors across the island of Ireland, to fully analyze the main areas of concern, and to develop negotiating priorities.
“These are to minimize the impact on our trade and the economy; to protect the Northern Ireland peace process, including through maintaining an open border; to continue the Common Travel Area with the UK; and to work for a positive future for the European Union.
“We note that our particular concerns, including in relation to the Good Friday agreement, have been acknowledged by Prime Minister May in her letter.”
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil’s Brexit spokesperson Stephen Donnelly has criticized the Irish government for failing to secure a veto for Ireland on any deal regarding Northern Ireland following the triggering of Article 50. It comes after the Spanish government appears to have obtained an effective veto regarding negotiations on Gibraltar.
“Where was the Taoiseach when this was being agreed?” asked Deputy Donnelly. “The future of Northern Ireland is a much more valid case, I believe, than Gibraltar. When the UK leaves the EU, the single largest concentration of EU citizens living outside the borders of the Union will be in Northern Ireland by virtue of the citizenship rights contained in the Good Friday Agreement.
“Northern Ireland has a population of 1.85 million people versus a population of just 30,000 in Gibraltar.
“The failure of the Irish government to seek such a veto over how the EU engages with Northern Ireland is, unfortunately, a major dereliction of duties.
“The Irish government is relying too much on sentiment and is ignoring the need to seek firm agreements, in writing, on the issues that matter to the island of Ireland.”
Sinn Féin has again urged the Irish government to push for special status for Northern Ireland during Brexit negotiations.
“The majority of parties north and south recognize the way to minimize the impact of Brexit in Ireland, is for the north to be designated special status within the EU and for the whole island to remain in the EU together,” said the party’s deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald TD.
“An Taoiseach must reflect this in the Irish Government response to the EU Council draft negotiations that must be amended to give effect to the wishes of all the people across this island. There cannot be an EU frontier across Ireland,” she said.
