Brexit: not too late to avoid no deal
THE Government last week published proposed legislation to contend with the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Having been criticised in recent months for not doing enough to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, it is evident from the Bill the wheels of government have been active indeed behind the scenes to prepare the country for what will be a seismic event, in whatever form it eventually takes.
No deal would be catastrophic; an agreed, orderly Brexit less so. The likelihood is that further preparations have been taken, the details of which have not been published in what is being referred to as the omnibus Bill. However, no matter what provision has been made, there is no doubt that when it occurs, Brexit, in whatever form it eventually takes, will have serious consequences for this country which the Government can only seek to mitigate but cannot entirely nullify.
Among other things, the omnibus Bill provides for pensions and welfare arrangements between Ireland and the UK and transport arrangements by bus and rail between Ireland North and south; it facilitates arrangements between Ireland and the UK relating to student fees; allows for Common Travel Area healthcare arrangements as well as for businesses to receive extra support and investment from Enterprise Ireland.
As the Taoiseach has said, these special laws enable Ireland to mitigate against some of the worst effects of no deal by protecting citizens’ rights and security, and facilitating extra supports for vulnerable businesses and employers. All effort must be made in Dail Eireann to scrutinise the Bill certainly, but to prepare it for immediate implementation should the need arise after March 29.
Be that as it may, while the clock is ticking towards a disorderly Brexit next month, it is still not too late for common sense to prevail on both sides of the Irish Sea and in Europe. In the first instance, however, it is for the UK to compromise on its red lines for the impasse to be broken.
Events in the House of Commons, while not inspiring confidence, have moved sufficiently in recent weeks and days to suggest that no deal, while still a distinct possibility, is the least likely outcome. A majority exists in the UK parliament for precious little it would seem, save against a no-deal Brexit. It is now time for those more measured voices to make themselves heard, and it is heartening that this now seems to be the case. However, as has been pointed out before, it is not enough for the Commons to say it is in opposition to a no-deal Brexit in the absence of majority agreement on what it does favour.
Brexit delayed, which now seems most likely, is not no-deal Brexit averted, nor is it a hard-deal Brexit avoided. Politicians in the UK need to come to a decision on what they want, at least to provide some sort of clarity in the weeks and probably months, if not years, ahead.
Meanwhile, the Government here, and no doubt civil servants behind the scenes, are to be commended for preparing Ireland as best it can for an event which this country did not seek but still has within its grasp to ease. That opportunity should not be squandered.