Brexit talks resume ... but no minister from Stormont will be there
NORTHERN Ireland will have no minister present at today’s Brexit talks in London — the first time the devolved regions have formally met in eight months to discuss the implications of quitting the EU.
A formal group for discussing the exit negotiations was set up to allow Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to have their say—but the government has faced claims it is not treating the devolved administrations with respect.
Damian Green, the Prime Minister’s deputy, insisted he wanted the meeting to be “positive and constructive”, but said it should recognise the “importance of preserving” the UK single market.
Scottish nationalists, however, will continue to push for the government to give Scotland a legal say on the exit process and drop plans to leave the EU’s single market.
Mr Green will be joined at the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) by Scotland’s Brexit minister Michael Russell and Welsh finance minister Mark Drakeford.
But Northern Ireland will be represented by David Sterling, head of the Civil Service here, who is attending following the breakdown in power-sharing.
The first meeting was held in January and attended by Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill. It was supposed to have been held in Belfast, but was shifted to Cardiff because of the collapse of Stormont.
At the time Mrs Foster said she was certain a JMC meeting would be held in Belfast. However, that appears increasingly unlikely.
But the lack of any apparent progress risks the group being seen as a talking shop to keep the devolved governments onboard with Westminster’s plans.
However, the government said bilateral meetings and conversations between ministers and officials had been held since the last JMC.
And before the January meeting, Theresa May had made it clear the devolved administrations would not be given a decisive role in Brexit.
The First Secretary of State, Mr Green, said: “These are important talks on the future of the United Kingdom. I am look- ing forward to positive and constructive dialogue that recognises the importance of preserving the UK single market that is so vital for people and businesses in our country.
“I also remain committed to delivering a significant increase in the decision-making power of each devolved administration after we leave the European Union.”
Mr Russell said the government must reconsider its hard Brexit strategy.
He said: “The UK government must reconsider its hard Brexit position and the disastrous impact it would have on jobs and living standards and take account of the concerns, shared by Scottish businesses, about the impact of leaving the single market and customs union.
“Secondly, they must start giving the Scottish Government a real opportunity to contribute to policy papers which affect the whole of the UK. Finally, on the EU Withdrawal Bill, progress can made if the amendments suggested by the Scottish and Welsh governments are accepted.”