LEO ROARS AT ‘INADEQUATE’ THERESA MAY
Varadkar slams uk’s slow Brexit progress
LEO Varadkar yesterday slammed British Prime Minister Theresa May for its slow progress on Brexit at the EU Summit.
The Taoiseach said it was “inadequate” not to put forward solutions to such pressing matters not least what happens with the border when Britain leaves the EU.
He also warned Ms May that Ireland would not be cornered in bi-lateral negotiations as the entire block stands with us.
Mr Varadkar said: “On Brexit, Michel Barnier [EU’S chief Brexit negotiator] gave an update.
“There is some progress being made on VAT and so on, but inadequate, slash, no progress on the Irish border, Gibraltar and the role of the ECJ [European Court of Justice].
“Again, there was strong unity across the EU member states.
“The 27 states negotiate as one and will continue to negotiate as one.
“We will resist any attempt by the UK to try and bilateralise negotiations.”
Mr Varadkar faced criticism at home in Dublin from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Mcdonald, who described the Summit outcome as “a failure”.
She said the Taoi-
Fianna Fail chief Micheal Martin right now. For a reserved chap like Simon, that’s the closest you’ll get to a war cry.
And then there’s the weather vane that is the view of backbenchers.
When they are getting tetchy and restless, you know a general election is in the offing.
Many are walking the corridors of Leinster House literally sweating in the last few weeks – and it’s not just the heat.
For these guys, without the high profile of a senior party spokesman position, or, seach has to shoulder some of the blame for the lack of progress on Brexit matters.
Mrs Mcdonald added: “This EU Council meeting has ended in failure. It was to be a defining moment, when NEGOTIATIONS Theresa May better still, the patronage they can dole out as a Government minister elections are serious business.
They have to make sure they are battleready should one be called.
Their livelihoods are on the line and so it is in their interest more than most to see when an election might be coming.
They’re all talking nervously about it. The real question though is, is it in our interest the public, the electorate, to have an election at this time. To be frank, the we would see delivery on the commitments made on Ireland in December.
“Commitments the Taoiseach told us were ‘cast iron’. He now returns with no progress, no certainty, and no legal clarity since December the British have ignored every deadline.
“The Taoiseach has accepted their bad faith. His approach of answer is a resounding no.
There is so much wrong with this country that all politicians need to knuckle down to address the various crises we are facing.
This includes all politicians, be they in power, in opposition, or, like Fianna Fáil, half in power and half in opposition thanks to the unique confidence and supply three card trick.
The health service is a mess.
We’re throwing more money at it than ever before – at least €15billion this year, and yet waiting times are still disgracefully long while corridors are packed with patients languishing on trolleys.
We can’t even keep the student nurses and doctors in the country even though we spend hundreds of thousands of euro training them.
The Irish Mirror reported this week that Pamela Hearne, a young woman suffering from chronic pain has been offered an appointment five years into the future.
The housing sector and the homelessness scandal are an embarrassment for modern industrialised country.
And how on earth can any responsible politician consider putting us through an election with Brexit at its most precarious stage.
The last thing this country needs is an election right now.
Those in Government, get back to governing. the Taoiseach and the other EU leaders has only emboldened the Tory party and their fantasy Brexit, who now believe they are involved in a game of chicken with the rights and interest of Ireland.
“The Taoiseach needs to stop rowing back from his own deadlines and deliver on the ‘cast iron’ guarantees. There should be no further negotiation on the future relations until the British Government delivers on the agreement from last December
“The Government and our EU partners must now develop a contingency plan to safeguard Ireland’s interests.
“They must guarantee the rights of citizens and peace agreements in the event of the British refusing to live up to its commitments.”