We will not compromise peace for vague pledges on border, says Coveney
THE Irish Government will not compromise on the “fragile” peace process in favour of vague promises around a post-Brexit border, the Tanaiste has said.
Accusing the UK Government of “wiping the slate clean on the Irish issue”, Simon Coveney said Dublin would never sign an agreement with that approach.
Mr Coveney said it was “hard to tell” if Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s move to suspend Parliament meant leaving the EU without a deal was now more likely.
Speaking in Paris, he said: “My focus is on protecting the country I come from, protecting the British-Irish relationship, protecting Ireland’s place in the EU and its single market and customs union and most importantly now trying to protect a peace agreement that is 21 years old, that has saved lives, that has created normality between communities that in the past were in conflict.”
Mr Coveney said a lot of time had been spent negotiating the withdrawal agreement which, he added, would prevent the re-emergence of physical border infrastructure.
He said: “Now we have a British Government that seems to be simply wiping the slate clean on the Irish issue in terms of the commitments that they have made.
“We can never sign an agreement with that approach.
“We have always said if there
is to be a no-deal Brexit, it will be the choice of a British Prime Minister and a British Parliament to allow that to happen.
“We want a sensible deal, based on the negotiations that have taken place over the last three years.
“Ireland is reasonable and has always shown flexibility and a willingness to compromise.
“We are not going to compromise on a peace process that is fragile right now on the island of Ireland.”
It came as Fianna Fail said the Irish Government must ramp up preparations for a no-deal Brexit and tell people what will happen at the border in a worst case scenario.
Lisa Chambers TD said Mr Johnson’s move to suspend Parliament increases the risk of a crashout and accused the Irish Government of failing to “clearly
outline what a no-deal Brexit will look like”.
She demanded more details on Government talks with the European Commission on the possibility of checks and controls on goods taking place away from the border.
Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused Mr Johnson of acting like a “dictator” by pushing through an “outrageous assault on basic democratic principles”.
The Prime Minister’s actions make it “clearer than ever that Scotland cannot be properly served by a shambolic, crumbling
Westminster system, and that our future lies as an independent country”, she added.
Ms Sturgeon said: “This is a dark day for democracy. Attempting to shut down Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit is an outrageous assault on basic democratic principles.
“In doing so, Boris Johnson is acting more like a dictator than a Prime Minister in what is still supposed to be a parliamentary democracy. Instead of this abuse of process Boris Johnson should have the courage of his convictions and call a general election.”
The SNP leader pledged the PM’s plan would be “fiercely resisted” by her party and other opposition politicians in the House of Commons, urging Conservatives who are “concerned about the direction their party and government is taking” to speak out against the Government.