Border checks on trade to follow no-deal – Coveney
Humiliated: May’s Brexit deal crushed in crucial vote
TÁNAISTE Simon Coveney has admitted checks on goods moving between the UK and Ireland will be necessary in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
In a private conversation caught on tape, Mr Coveney indicated ministers should not talk about the checks publicly for fear of a backlash.
The admission came as British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a historic defeat in the House of Commons on her EU exit deal.
“It is clear the House does not support this deal, but tonight’s vote tells us nothing about what it does support,” the prime minister said.
She now faces a motion of no confidence in her government.
After Mrs May lost by 432 to 202, EU President Jean-Claude Juncker bluntly said the risk
of a hard Brexit had increased and “time is almost up”.
However, during a private conversation with Transport Minister Shane Ross, the Tánaiste confirmed a form of checks will be introduced in a no-deal “but we can’t get into
where they’ll be at this stage”.
“But once you start talking about checks anywhere near the Border, people will start delving into that and all of a sudden we’ll be the Government that reintroduced a physical border on the island of
Ireland,” he said. Mr Coveney added that the border checks “could be at sea”.
The admission came after Mr Ross bungled a question from the Irish Independent on whether in a no-deal scenario a truck could travel from
Scotland to Northern Ireland and then on to the Republic without any checks.
Mr Coveney told this newspaper: “We are not planning to put checks on the Border.”
The Brexit deal agreed by the prime minister with the EU was defeated by a historic margin last night – but Mrs May failed to produce a Plan B.
EU President Jean Claude Juncker was blunt in his assessment of the situation last night, saying the risk of a hard Brexit had increased and “time is almost up”. In Dublin, the Government promised to intensify preparation for “such an outcome”.
“The Irish Government recognises, however, that a disorderly Brexit is a bad outcome for everyone, not least in Northern Ireland. It is not too late to avoid this outcome and we call on the UK to set out how it proposes to resolve this impasse as a matter of urgency,” a statement said.
Addressing MPs after losing the House of Commons vote by 432 to 202, Mrs May warned MPs there was no way of dumping the backstop which will ensure an open Border on the island of Ireland.
She said any of the alternative deals being pushed would still require “the insurance policy”: “No backstop simply means no deal now and for the foreseeable future.”
Moments after the result was announced, Mrs May told the House of Commons: “It is clear the House does not support this deal, but tonight’s vote tells us nothing about what it does support.”
Labour Party leader Jeremey Corbyn immediately tabled a motion of no confidence, saying the result was “catastrophic” for the prime minister.
“After two years of failed negotiations, the House of Commons has delivered its verdict on her Brexit deal, and that verdict is absolutely decisive,” Mr Corbyn said. “Her governing principle of delay and denial has reached the end of the line.”
If half of MPs vote against the Government then it could result in a general election – but all indications are Mrs May will survive to fight another day. Labour hopes of ousting her were undermined when the DUP said they will back the prime minister despite their differences over the backstop.
DUP leader Arlene Foster urged Mrs May to return to EU leaders and renegotiate to secure a “better deal”.
“The House of Commons has sent an unmistakable message to the Prime Minister and the European Union that this deal is rejected,” Mrs Foster said.
‘No backstop will ensure an open Border on the island of Ireland’
‘Mrs May will be able to show Brussels change is needed’
“Mrs May will now be able to demonstrate to the Brussels negotiators that changes are required if any deal is to command the support of Parliament. We will work with the Government constructively to achieve a better deal.”
She added that while some “may wish to use this defeat to boost their political ambitions, we will give the Government the space to set out a plan to secure a better deal”.
However, the Northern politician cautioned that “reassurances, whether in the form of letters or warm words, will not be enough”.
Former foreign secretary and hardline Brexiteers Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg both indicated they will also support the Government.
The EU said the Brexit deal remained the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal.
EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said it would intensify preparations for a no-deal Brexit.
“The risk of a disorderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom has increased with this evening’s vote,” he said.
Donald Tusk, the chairman of EU leaders, suggested Britain should now consider reversing Brexit. “If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?” he tweeted.