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LAST UPDATE | 9 Jun 2021
THE EU HAS warned it is at “a crossroads in our relationship with the UK” and “patience is very, very, very thin” as the two sides failed to make any breakthroughs on issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Talks between European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic and Brexit minister David Frost, aimed at ending the deadlock over the implementation of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in Northern Ireland, ended without significant progress today.
Following a three-and-a-half hour meeting with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic, Brexit minister David Frost said they had had a “frank and honest” discussion and had agreed to continue the negotiations.
“There weren’t any breakthroughs. There aren’t any breakdowns either and we’re going to carry on talking,” he said.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of continuing tensions over checks on goods moving to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK as required under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol in the agreement.
Frost refused to rule out the prospect that the UK could unilaterally delay the implementation of checks on chilled meats – due to come in at the end of the month – if there was no agreement before then.
Ahead of the meeting, Sefcovic had raised the prospect that such a move could trigger a trade war, saying the EU would respond “firmly and resolutely” if the UK failed to meet its international treaty obligations.
Frost said: “Obviously we did discuss that subject amongst many others today. There weren’t any breakthroughs on it and we continue to consider all our options on that and many other issues.”
He added: “What we really now need to do is very urgently find some solutions which support the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, support the peace process in Northern Ireland and allow things to return to normal.
The NI Protocol has failed and must be removedhttps://t.co/UmUDt5P9Rp pic.twitter.com/YunGFmhhUv
— Edwin Poots MLA (@edwinpootsmla) June 9, 2021
“What the EU is insisting on is we should operate the protocol in an extremely purist way. The reality is that it’s a very balanced document that’s designed to support the peace process and deal with the very sensitive politics in Northern Ireland.
“It’s obviously best to find a negotiated agreement if we can and that’s what we are really intending to do. If we can’t, and we’re working very hard to do it, then obviously we consider all our options for next steps.”
‘Cross-retaliation’
At a press conference after the talks, Sefcovic said the bloc had not ruled out “cross-retaliation” if the UK does not abide by the agreement.
He refused to set a deadline by which the EU could take further steps, but warned “patience really is very, very, very thin”.
Sefcovic insisted he came to London to “find the solution” but options on the table included the suspension of co-operation in certain sectors and quota tariffs.
“The trust, which will be at the heart of every partnership, needs to be restored,” he said.
“It might be that our British partners could not have fully estimated what will be the consequences of the Brexit they have chosen,” Sefovic said.
“What it would mean to leave the single market, the customs union, how complex it can be for businesses, for the Government, for IT systems, for training of personnel.
“And now I will say gradually more and more things are coming to the table… some of them which we’ve foreseen, some of them which were unforeseen.”
In a statement issued after the meeting the British government expressed concern that there had been no “substantive progress” across a range of issues and warned there was a danger the supply of medicines could be affected unless there was an early breakthrough.
“The UK will continue to put forward detailed proposals, as we have throughout this year, and looks forward to discussing any proposals the EU may put forward,” it said.
“There is an urgent need for further discussions in order to make real progress, particularly to avoid disruption to critical supplies such as medicines.”
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Thoughts and prayers with that young girl that was fatally assaulted in Welford last night/ horrific story
@Frank Mc Carthy
the Irish times that it was a woman.
Either way, terrible news.
@Frank Mc Carthy: you where so excited to post you got the age and place wronh
@Niall Lappin: that’s a pretty disgusting comment even for the Journal. RTÉ report an 8 year old girl had died.
@Niall Lappin: even a modecum of respect??? An 8 Yr old girl in Welford has tragically & violently lost her life
@Frank Mc Carthy: WEXFORD…..apologies….R.I.P
@Niall Lappin: wow, that’s fairly sick & vile
@Niall Lappin: hope you’re proud of yourself…knobrot
@Frank Mc Carthy: new Ross,a truly terrible thing to happen
@Niall Lappin: R.I.P. Malikika , her young life extinguished protecting her mother. Rest easy now child
I posted this elsewhere but maybe more relevant here (or not LOL)!
As a good deal of people seemed disappointed by the last government as constructed, could there be a government of national unity?
Or, fall into the same format as last time and ruin the chances of the minority party in subsequent future elections?
Alternatively, a government excluding FFG, comprised of the elected smaller party and individuals? Obviously the latter ‘could’ be unstable due to differences but it could also change the tide of politics in Ireland. Especially, if they managed to look after the homeless and build houses through direct labour and not being ripped off by building companies (who are famous for building bicycle sheds).
@Con Cussed: arithmetic not your strongest subject?
@Lesidees: LOL, there’s 174 seats, FFG combined not expected to have 88 seats. So assuming they get 80+ (or slights over but don’t make the magical 88, then there are at least 88 seats available to the opposition. Do the maths ;0)
@Con Cussed: Doesn’t matter, we’re incapable of building anything functional.
@Con Cussed: the left can not agree on anything and u would need all right leaning independents so never going to happen.
The left are smart u couldn’t go in with SF as they plan this far has Ben to cannibalise the left parties such as labour and doc dems
@Thesaltyurchin: @john purcell: Can’t disagree with anything you’re saying. However, if these guys want to see something different there will have to be give and take, otherwise FFG will be back in power with some minnow. FF & FG have never fixed the big issues of homelessness and housing, so maybe a group thrown together might have a better chance, can they do worse?
@Con Cussed: you laughed at someone to do the math, now I’m asking you to do the logic… as you’ve alluded to within your original post, the formation would likely be unstable, almost definitely too unstable. FFG look likely to get within 2 seats if 88, all they need is 2 indos. An opposition would have to get every single independent on board. Even if possible the structure would likely collapse within weeks if not days of being formed. I’m not against them trying it, but seems destined to end in failure.
@TheGood Feign: The odds are completely stacked against such an outcome as you rightly state. It would take all of the opposition to FFG to conclude an agreement. Some of those elected know they’ll never get in with FFG, so they might be open to it. Then the question would be how long might it last?
@Con Cussed: I suggested this a week ago, we have a National crisis in Homeless & Housing & now Public Services. It won’t be solved by Parties left, right or centre as they all try to fit in their ideologies, what’s needed is consensus on a National scale to solve a National crisis. I felt after the crash last time out, we should have had a National Govt as at that stage we lost our Sovereignty. I believe the onus & pressure on this next Govt is huge, failure to deliver on bread & butter issues from Cost of Living, Insurance, Housing, Health, Homelessness & Immigration, will see the people turn on all political classes as people see no hope. In mentioning Immigration, I am not anti Immigration, but we need to apply the rules, we cannot realistically help all those coming.
@Con Cussed: to get to 88 would mean all the independents, aontú, II, PBP, Labour, SD, Green, and SF agreeing on something….
@Con Cussed: labour will go in with fffg,they say no now but trust me that will change once they get a few ministers
@sean weir: the issue is SF are not a left wing party. Labour and SD are very left of center and their climate and immigration views are completely diff.
While most on here don’t want to see a FF/FG gov the reason is that the left should have formed a block prior to the election so that ppl could vote for them.
SF are looking for the left vote and are trying to destroy labour and the sock dems. They can’t go after the middle class FF/FG vote as it will destroy their base.
@Con Cussed: Dream on most outdoors and opposition wouldn’t agree to split €5
@TheGood Feign: Hell would freeze over before Social Democrats or Labour would ever dream forming a government with Independent Ireland or Aontú & vice versa. FFG have it unfortunately.
@SV3tN8M4: Indeed it would mean the parties putting the people first. It would be stronger than any other type of coalition as it would be bigger and as such could manage the minor entities pulling the plug, who might be the eventual loser in a subsequent election. The issue will always be the breakdown of government ministerial posts and sub-functions of government. It would take balls by those elected to form. All of the points raised need addressing but those who have been in power in the past haven’t addressed them, will they in the future?
The coalition with just need around five independents, Bacik and Holly can do on.
@Dan Murphy: woke utd! To replace woke greens
@Basildon Joe: WOKE WOKE WOKE. Jesus change the boring mantra Adolf. The world has changed, live with it
it was fine to mention immigration topic before elections?
Open the comments at wexford news
@sakk sa: comments are always closed on crime stories
Can we get a demographic break down on those who didn’t vote? Working/not working would be a start
@Ben dover: It will be responsibly obvious from returns based on towns/neighbourhoods. I would also suggest that those in lower social demographic groups voted far less.
@Ben dover: exactly
If there was a party proposing a 50 % reduction in Job Seekers benefit then you can bet the electorate would be huge .
All out to vote against that “” Draconian “” proposal
@james rowan: No representation without taxation!
11 seats to be filled then it’s as you were lads,same rules apply.
The two Healy Raes, Michael Lowry and Verona Murphy. There’s 4 guaranteed to prop up a coalition. We’ll know fairly soon how many FF and FG need.
After the Green wipeout, SD and Labour don’t need to be told twice to steer clear of Government.
@Ronan Mc: anyone but the Healy Raes please.
@Ronan Mc: Think of them what you may, but Kerry is their priority – that’s why they keep being elected. The rest of them just look after their doners and cronies.
@Dermot Blaine:
The Healy Raes are certain to be in.
They are a cheap deal.
SDs or lab will want major changes in policy but all the likes of the Healy Raes etc want are a few new roadworks and people to stop applying planning and building regulations too rigorously.
@P. J.: The Healy Raes won’t be selected, guaranteed.
@P. J.: Healy Rae’s won’t be in ,they can squeeze more out of the government from outside the circle,plus it means they are not held accountable for anything fffg do
@P. J.: and a relaxation of the drink driving laws
Losing Stephen Donnelly is beyond devastating, a smile that could light up Wicklow
Must say the journal have done an excellent job reporting. Found the interactive map better than RTÉ. Fair play
The show is over but the obese lady is not singing.
I hope The Monk finds out who didn’t vote for him
@Fintan Pox:
Brendan and he also called him a bolli,,
The Smoked Salmon so called Socialist Labour party and the Social Democrats debating society will talk and talk to convince us why they can’t enter Government but bottom line they are political cowards who will put their own cushy jobs and income before the interest of the Irish people.
No surprise they are both talkers not doers.
@Tim Brennan: Why would they prop up a neo-liberal government? Labour would be nuts to prop up FFG. Political suicide. Soc Dems are no fools either. They both saw how FFG used the Greens as their patsy. Let them talk to Michael Lowry. He’s more their ilk.
Test
Stop the steal !!!
Not that I know anything about nothing …
I didn’t even read the article. Have seen nothing on French news. Hopefuly it will be over soon !
And then life can go on, whatever way it’s going …
Don’t need a bunker. I have an army bivouac and a mountain sleeping bag etc, 3 camping gas bottles, a burner etc. A couple of weeks of food and a crossbow.
And if that’s not enough : so be it
have your say