Brexit is not a game we are playing Taoiseach warns May Ireland will not change position on backstop
No GFA compromise to calm Tories Pledge to help EU on migration issue
This March deadline is self-imposed ..a situation the UK has created LEO VARADKAR
LEO Varadkar has warned the British he is not in the mood for games over Brexit.
Responding to comments from UK politicians that Ireland could ease off on the backstop, the Taoiseach replied: “We are not playing chicken, we are not playing poker.”
However, he added he would look at “mechanisms” the Prime Minister might come up with to assure her critics the backstop would not be permanent.
Mr Varadkar was talking to reporters before the start of the first Eu/arab League joint summit in Sharm El-sheikh, Egypt yesterday.
He was joined at the Red Sea resort by 23 other EU leaders and 21 of the Arab League heads of state.
Mrs May also attended and Government sources confirmed the two will meet for talks during the conference.
Mr Varadkar reiterated Ireland is THE EU cannot compromise on the backstop issue to placate Tory party Brexiteers, the Tanaiste has warned.
Simon Coveney said the Irish Government wanted to help Theresa May get her deal through the Commons.
However, he told Sky News yesterday: “This isn’t just about Westminster. This is a deal that has to get through a European parliament as well.
“You can’t ask Ireland to compromise standing firm on the backstop – a key part of the Withdrawal Agreement between Europe and the UK – with the solid backing of the EU’S top brass.
Meanwhile, Mrs May has announced the next “meaningful vote” on Brexit has been postponed until March 12.
The move indicates she has nothing new to offer and believes she would suffer another humiliating Westminster defeat were she to call a vote now.
Following the announcement, Mr on something as fundamental as a peace process and relationships linked to the Good Friday Agreement to get a deal through which is about placating a group within the Conservative Party who are insisting on moving the Prime Minister away from her own position.
“This is about shared responsibility to ensure we don’t see the re-emergence of a border infrastructure that in the past has had awful memories.” Varadkar said: “The decision on when this vote happens isn’t under my control.
“I understand she has taken the decision to defer the vote until some time around mid-march but for the European Union, that doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t take anything from Ireland’s point of view either.
“Let’s not forget, this March 29 deadline is self-imposed. Nobody in Ireland or the EU is threatening no deal.
“This is a situation the UK has created THE movement of people between Europe and the Arab world was one of the key talking points at the summit last night.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “I think migration is a huge issue in European politics at the moment, perhaps not as much in Ireland as it is in other countries.
“We’re very keen to demonstrate solidarity with other EU countries. That
EGYPT YESTERDAY
for itself so we are not playing chicken, we are not playing poker, we are just standing by our position which has been solid from day one.
“We want to keep a close trading relationship between the UK and EU.
“We need a legal guarantee, an operable mechanism by which we can avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“We want to retain the Common Travel Area and all the freedoms that come with that.
“And if people don’t understand that at this stage, I don’t think there is any more I can do to help them.”
Last night EU officials said the possibility of delaying Brexit until 2021 is being looked into.
The summit concludes today , when the Taoiseach will make a formal statement to highlight Ireland’s priorities and perspective on a range of foreign policy issues. means working to disrupt people smuggling. I think it’s working with transit countries and countries of origin to improve living conditions in those countries as well.
“And it also means improving our external border security and Ireland is taking part in that through our Irish navy in the Mediterranean.
“So this is a good opportunity to build on some of those things.”