Leo: We are your bridge to Europe...
Taoiseach stresses irish role as Brexit draws closer
LEO Varadkar has stressed Ireland is an even more important bridge to Europe for the US as Brexit looms large.
The Taoiseach was speaking at a special symposium on Ireland’s Place in Europe organised by the Brookings Institute think-tank in Washington on Tuesday evening.
He also said there was a danger Europe and the US could drift apart in terms of trade in the aftermath of Brexit and added he wants to work to prevent this.
And Mr Varadkar warned as the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement gets closer that Britain’s withdrawl is a “real threat” to the accord.
Speaking to a mainly US audience, the Taoiseach stressed the importance of the Irish-american “bridge.”
He said: “I fear that there is a danger that the EU and the United States may drift apart due to growing divisions on trade, tax, climate change and many other areas. Such a development would not be in the interests of the people on either side of the Atlantic.
“Ireland can and is willing to act as a bridge between the US and the EU to interpret one to the other and to help ensure that positive and constructive relations are maintained and developed.” Mr Varadkar then turned to Brexit and how it could be a real threat to the Northern institutions and the Good Friday Agreement.
He said: “As many of you will be aware, continuing differences between the political parties representing the two communities in Northern Ireland mean there has been no power-sharing Executive in Belfast for some time.
“Its absence is corrosive damaging.
“Just as important, it means the voice of the people of Northern Ireland is not heard in the negotiations on the terms under which the United Kingdom will leave the EU, even though it will be of great consequence for them.
“The majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to stay in the European Union, even now the majority want to stay in the EU’S Customs Union and Single Market. Brexit is a real threat to the Good Friday Agreement.” and