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THE TRADE PROBLEMS in Northern Ireland are not a result of the Protocol introduced after the UK left the EU but rather Brexit itself, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said.
She was speaking following the first day of the EU Council – the first such meeting since the introduction of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement at the beginning of May.
A new raft of post-Brexit checks on GB-to-NI goods at the ports of Belfast and Larne, which are contained in the Protocol, have sparked anger among unionists and loyalists who feel Northern Ireland is being separated from the rest of the UK.
Some have also claim that the tensions are caused by other factors separate to the Protocol.
Loyalists recently told a Westminster committee that there was “seething anger” at Boris Johnson’s broken promise of unfettered GB-to-NI access, and that violence might be used as a “last resort”.
Westminster politicians have, in recent weeks, called for the Protocol to be pared back from what was originally agreed; Minister of State David Frost said during a trip to Northern Ireland that “common sense” must be used to solve the issue quickly. He also said recently that the UK’s relationship with Brussels will be “a bit bumpy for a time”.
Von der Leyen said yesterday: “The beginnings are not easy, tensions are being felt around the access, for example, of EU fishing boats, or tensions are without any doubt there around the implementation of the Protocol of Northern Ireland.”
While talks are continuing between the EU and the UK Government to solve some of the issues linked to the Protocol, both the outgoing DUP leader Arlene Foster and her incoming successor Edwin Poots have insisted it must be scrapped.
During the recent DUP leadership context, promising to remove the Northern Ireland Protocol became a crucial issue for the party’s elected representatives.
But von der Leyen said yesterday that this would not happen, adding: “There should be no doubt that there is no alternative to the full and correct implementation of the Protocol.
And I think it is important to reiterate that the Protocol is the only possible solution to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland while protecting the integrity of the European Union’s Single Market.
“If we see problems today we should not forget that they do not come from the Protocol but they result from Brexit. That is the reason why the problems are there.
“Now, it’s our common duty with the United Kingdom to do whatever we can to reduce tensions in Northern Ireland and that is why we are exploring practical solutions to help to minimise the disruptions to the everyday life in Northern Ireland.”
Poots has claimed recently that the Northern Ireland Protocol is “undeliverable” and indicated he may order officials to halt border checks if the issue is not resolved.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said that the checks on goods going to Northern Ireland from Great Britain could be reduced by 80% if the UK agreed on common standards for veterinary practices, and sanitary and phytosanitary standards on food. The UK refused this option during Brexit negotiations.
With reporting from Gráinne Ní Aodha.
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In fairness to Cameron at least he answers the questions unlike our so called leader who just deflects and blames everybody else.
I wouldn’t be a fan of Cameron’s, but he makes Corbyn look like he’s a phone-in tv show host addressing a leader.
Hopefully Corbyn can do better in future.
A politician with some principles and unity with the people he represents,our coalition should hang their heads.
Except if you explore his past.
Explain, OTV
I won’t – I just hope Corbyn isn’t just another Farage – gifted at appealing to a demographic but ultimately a fake.
I genuinely would like to see a strong, intelligent left of centre opposition in the UK. It would likely inspire Ireland to aspire to a similar standard, as we generally always do.
OTV, how is Farage a fake? Are you referring to the man in person, or the unfortunate amount of dross that he attracts?
I think we can categorically conclude that he is not like Farage
Class act,break from the usual $hite
He made a big mistake by not signing the anthem imo. It was unnecessarily divisive and not a good omen as it showed he doesn’t know how to pick his battles. It’s fine to be a republican, anti war, anti EU, but it’s not fine to be anti monarchy on anything WW2 related as the royal family, including the current Queen (who’ll could easily die soon, and he’ll be easy pickings if so) were central, comforting figures throughout that period.
Signing.
The words of the British national anthem speak of victory and glory, perhaps it is time to put the past into context and concentrate on the here and now for a change.
Gerry Adams regularly tweets asking people for their Leaders Questions to be put to Enda.
RTE were letting on today its a new concept.
Ironic, from the leader who cannot be questioned.
Seeing as Corbyn has an interest in mental health eg skipped appearance on Andrew Marr show to attend a mental health fundraiser and also created a new dedicated Minister for Mental Heatlh in his shadow cabinet, hoping he can address some of the serious issues in that field, raised by Danish Dr Peter Gøtzsche (co-founder of the respected Cochrane Collaboration).
Ah iphone Joan what’s your position on this?
well kerry, this is all the fault of those people. those people that want to do do something great, but they have nothing, so we are going to give them nothing and its great, because those people appreciate getting nothing. and in the meantime we are going to enhance the middle class by taking more off them, because thats how they thrive and they want to give it to us. so yes we are a winning party
I’m afraid the sarcasm went over some peoples heads jenni.
joans answer…you can see corbyns below
‘Can i just say, i think its interesting that……….’
I just read that in my head in joans voice
thats to be expected al..it comes with the territory. I feel for them
I read it Joan’s voice first, and then Cameron’s. Practically indistinguishable!
*in Joan’s *
Whether you agree with his politics or not I think he seems to be a politician committed to his beliefs rather than in it for the paycheque, which is refreshing. However if and when the hard decisions come we will see if its all talk or not.
Hung so
Obviously didn’t se the report on his accepting pay rise to 125k and a new luxury car. He’s got his nose in the trough like most of politicians nowadays
Watched it earlier. Absolute unbridalled brilliance in motion. We should clone him.
What do you love most about him? Is it just the beard or it there more to it?
Jammin has a penchant for men in beards apparently
Silver-tongued men with beards, to be fair.
Joe Duffy will be worried
David Cameron will be loving this. Instead of having a proper debate all he has to do now is answer a couple of easy questions and wait for labour to start tearing itself apart.
Read the half article, or go to the media websites just to see how happy Cameron was about his approach. Unsettlet conservative party tonight..but they’re only 6 months in..they can learn a lot about filthy politics if they study our own gov carry on over the last 4 years.
P I think the point is, Cameron is usually smug and scornful at question time, but because these questions came from the public he couldn’t be seen to be his usual sarcastic, dismissive self. Great tactic by Corbyn
He is an impressive speaker and performer but he’s badly in need of a suit that fits him.
His history is also a poor fit with his rhetoric; he can always buy a new suit.
Corbyn won’t even see a general election as leader, he will be ousted before it – if labour had any sense they would of Elected David Milliband instead of his brother and they would be in power now.
Corbyn had hardly no women on his shadow cabinet and the one he has for rural affairs is an mp from North London who is a vegan. Really in touch with the country folk Jeremy.
Boris Johnson must be laughing know he will be PM after the next election!
George Osborne I think.
corbyn will definitely see the next election..he’s not putting up with any crap. I’d say he would even have words with our own so called makey uppy labour party. At the very least he’d tell the labour party to rebrand!
Is this the same Corbyn that invited Raed Salah to the parliament, they guy who has now been banned from the UK for his anti semitism, for saying that homosexuality is a great crime and for blaming Jews for 9/11?
The same Corbyn that contributed funds to Paul Eisen, holocaust denier?
The same Corbyn that calls himself a “good friend” of Ibrahim Hewitt, who has likened homosexuality to paedophilia?
The same Corbyn who spoke along side Dyab Abou Jahjah in the UK parliament, Abou, who called the 9/11 attacks “sweet revenge”, and called gays “aids spreading fa***ts? Abou is also banned from the UK.
The same Corbyn who is anti monarchy but now serves on the privy council?
Britain has a great future leader head of them, if that’s the case.
Is any of that actually true?
All true and verifiable.
“During a call-in with listeners on BBC Radio 4′s World At One programme, he said: “The idea that I’m some kind of racist or anti-Semitic person is beyond appalling, disgusting and deeply offensive”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jeremy-corbyn-disgusted-claims-anti-6281250
Tony Blair could face trial over ‘illegal’ Iraq war, says Jeremy Corbyn ~
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/05/tony-blair-could-face-trial-illegal-iraq-war-jeremy-corbyn
He may have said that Aine, but his actions show very differently.
He mentions Ibraham Hewitt when he talks about Interpal (on a youtube video). He is hardly responsible for all his views and beliefs eg the one you mentioned above.
Interpal ~
From female-led exchange visits in the West Bank, to supporting the Russell Tribunal on human rights abuses against Palestinians, Interpal continues its advocacy projects to raise awareness of the worsening situation for Palestinians. Interpal’s aim is to continue to build a durable foundation for Palestinian human rights.
I never said he was responsible for the views of others, but he did describe Hewitt as a “good friend” – you judge a man by the company he keeps. Corbyn doesn’t bode well for a Britain that is changing daily.
Looking at the first article I think the whole anti Jew thing doesn’t really stand up. Anyone of us that believe Israel are wrong in their treatment of Palestinians could be called anti Semitic if it suited a particular agenda.
The other one is harder to explain away. He doesn’t sound like the kinda lad you’d forget too easily especially after he was banned from the UK. Then again so many meetings, so many lunches who knows.
Everybody, meet Jason, a tabloids wet dream.
Hi Jason I think you will fit in well here
The wild Left, who think they’ve just discovered the answer to all the world’s problems, seem to be catching up to reality.
Sort of like kids who want sweets and Xbox ll the time, when they come to realise sweets might not be good for you, parents have to pay for them, their ill sister needs the money or dad needs a bus pass to get to work and you can’t always have what you want.
Protest parties are generally built on ignorance and caricaturing their opponents as evil megalomaniacs.
Once put in a position of responsibility the protest party inevitably realises the simplicity they thought they were arguing about doesn’t exist and they need to think a little harder.
That said, no doubt AAA, SF/Eirigi and PBP are well qualified and experienced and have a grasp on reality.
And here’s the right-wing of the most powerful country in the world! I’ll take my chances on the Left thanks, enjoy the company of dumb hicks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm9m7zZPEl8
Hnging my flag on Bernie Sanders, he’s by far the best option.
He will be an interesting politician to watch. He will make or break the Labour Party. I fear it may be the latter.
It harks back to an interesting time in British politics when you had a clearly defined division between left and right.
Surprised For Connolly isn’t on here, again, gushing and wooing over Corbyn.
Perhaps he is overcome in shivering raptures of adoration and can’t bring himself to type for the trembling.
How easily he is led.
He’ll be along soon, no doubt.
Amazed you had time to remove yourself from the alter to Enda OTV and look elsewhere. Does this mean Enda’s mantra is running thin?
I’m apolitical. I just focus on what is best for Ireland.
You’re surprised that people have stuff to do in the evenings like put their kids to bed? Whoa, adult life is going to be a real eye opener for you.
Its always amazing that you have to wait for one commentor to say his piece before you can make your argument. why don’t you just say what you want to say? #fetishforforconnolly
hope i didnt step on your toes there mate..
that was for fc…
@ Jenni: Yer grand. Real socialists don’t have toes.
@ Richard: Tried it myself once with a dead arm. The other mourners were furious!
Ha!
Well it certainly isn’t Fine Gael/Labour or Fianna Fáil, with their grubby politics of the last fifty years or so.
That was for OneTrueVoice.
They are all committed to their beliefs – which are easy to uphold in opposition, Different kettle of fish if elected.
Yous lot are a gas bunch, gotta love the right, right lot.
The left vote is growing more and more, not hugely, but steadily, and why? Simple really, we want everyone to be treated the same.
Now the conservatives about us want us all to be treated the same.. But differently…That’s the same as our government. The rich should be given more, and the poorest should be giving more.
Well enough is enough.
I’m worn out, exhausted and tired of trying to make everyday profitable. And when we get a gov rep like Corbyn, we’ll be doing ok.
Corbyns direct approach is undeniably refreshing in an era of spin but the reality is that the British electorate rejected a milder version of his politics in May. If Cameron is such an evil fascist stooge, why did people back him? Did the entire British electorate attend Eton? Or are a majority of British people really stupid? Or did they perhaps see him and his party as a safe pair of hands? No, it couldn’t possibly be that. There must be a right wing conspiracy involved.
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