Brexit outline ‘a move in the right direction’
Coveney’s welcome for uk plans
THE EU will not accept many of Britain’s Brexit proposals over concerns it is “picking and choosing” elements of the single market, the Foreign Minister said yesterday.
Simon Coveney said he does not believe the UK will get everything it is asking for but Friday’s document was a “move in the right direction” and will be “taken seriously” by the EU.
Mr Coveney told RTE’S This Week there were some contradictions in the proposals such as there being a common rule book on agri-food but a desire to leave the Common Agri- cultural Policy. He added once Britain softened some of its demands the EU will show more “flexibility”.
Mr Coveney said: “There will be limits to that flexibility. I don’t think Britain will get everything it’s asking for but I certainly hope it can be the base of a real negotiation.”
The Tanaiste said the EU’S chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has an open mind on the UK proposals.
But he warned no one should be fooled into thinking the two sides were close to an agreement as this from a done deal”.
He added: “From an EU is “far perspective we have to ensure that the integrity of the single market and customs union remains intact and that Ireland is very much part of that.
“But what we’re seeing here is certainly a move in the right direction.” Fianna Fail’s Brexit spokeswoman Lisa Chambers told the same programme that said she does not feel Ireland is prepared for a soft Brexit never mind a hard one.
She said: “The number of businesses availing of Government support packages is so low it shows how ill-prepared we are.”
March 2019 – the date Britain officially leaves the European Union
Simon Coveney