Britain sticks with border plan despite scorn from Brussels
BRITAIN is sticking by its proposals for avoiding a hard border between Ireland and the North despite reports its plans were torn to shreds by EU officials in a ‘systematic and forensic annihilation’. Unnamed EU diplomatic sources had been quoted as saying Brussels officials delivered ‘a detailed and forensic rebuttal’ and made clear that ‘none of the UK customs options will work – none of them’.
In reaction a spokesman for British prime minister Theresa May said it ‘did not recognise’ the claims made in the report in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph.
But in a further blow to the UK, its former ambassador to the EU, Ivan Rogers, yesterday said the UK hopes of finding a technological solution to the border issue were regarded as ‘a fantasy island unicorn model’ in European capitals.
Leo Varadkar yesterday said the UK will either have to reverse its decision to leave the Customs Union and Single Market or accept the backstop agreement that would effectively ensure customs regulations stay the same on both sides of the border. The Taoiseach said: ‘We have a workable and legally enforceable solution that will allow us to avoid a hard border on our island.
‘It’s the Irish protocol. It is written down in black and white, and we believe that provides a solution that allows us to avoid a hard border on our island after the transition period.
‘Of course we are open to alternative proposals that may come from the UK but so far they haven’t been forthcoming or at least those that have been forthcoming haven’t really cut the mustard.
‘The best way I think to avoid having to use the backstop, having to use the Irish protocol, is for the UK to stay in the Customs Union and Single Market. Or if not that, something very close it and perhaps that is something we can negotiate in the months ahead.’
Mr Varadkar’s came as he christened the world’s largest short sea roll-on/roll-off ship – the so called Brexit-buster – at Dublin Port.
The MV Celine, which can handle 600 articulated lorries, will be used to ferry goods directly between Ireland and Continental Europe – completely bypassing the UK.
A Downing Street spokesman downplayed the leaked Daily Telegraph report, saying: ‘We are confident that in the coming months, if all sides work together productively, we can achieve a solution to the Ireland/Northern Ireland border that works for everyone involved.’
He said No.10 was ‘not aware’ of suggestions that chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier had put trade talks on hold while the Irish issue took centre stage.
Mr Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney and European Council president Donald Tusk have stated this week that Brexit negotiations will be put on hold if sufficient progress is not made by June.
Mr Coveney said the leaked reports, which appeared yesterday in Britain, were evidence the British government needs to give more thought to its proposals.
He said: ‘There will be setbacks and there will be arguments and difficulties, but these negotiations are moving forward and what we see today in the British media is a reflection of the fact that I think there is more thought needed, particularly on the British side in terms of solving some of these issues.
‘Some of the papers they have published last summer, while they have some interesting things in them, clearly are not going to solve all of the problems that they are committed to solving.’
Little agreement has been reached on the detail of measures to avoid a hard frontier with checks on goods and services.
Unionists have opposed any solution which would create differences between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, Mrs May is reliant on DUP support in key Westminster votes.
‘Fantasy island unicorn model’ ‘More thought is needed by British’