Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NO BORDER OR NO DEAL
Foster to give Prime Minister ultimatum in crunch London talks
ARLENE Foster is to give Theresa May an ultimatum tomorrow: There will be no deal unless there is no border.
The Democratic Unionist leader is meeting the Prime Minister in London to tell her leaving Europe without an agreement is impossible. Former Tory Chancellor George Osborne said: “The DUP need a deal because they are absolutely committed to not having a hard border with the Republic of Ireland.”
THERESA May’s desire to team up with the DUP does “not necessarily” undermine the peace process, it has been claimed.
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said he has raised the matter with Secretary of State James Brokenshire, although it remains to be seen what deal is agreed. Theresa May is seeking support from the 10 Democratic Unionist MPS in order to allow her to win key votes in the House of Commons. It follows the Prime Minister’s decision to call a General Election, which backfired as the Tories lost their majority following big gains by Labour. Mr Flanagan was asked about suggestions any Conservative deal with Arlene Foster’s party would undermine Westminster’s impartiality as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. He told ITV’S Peston on Sunday: “Well, not necessarily the case. Of course, it remains to be seen what the nature of that deal is. “But this is an issue I did address the evening before last with Secretary of State James Brokenshire. “I think it’s an important issue that you raise – the objectivity of both governments, and both governments working strictly in accordance with our legal responsibilities under the Belfast Agreement, the Irish Government as co-guarantor, indeed the British Government as co-guarantor.” Mr Flanagan said he was looking forward to meeting with Mr Brokenshire today should his appointment be reaffirmed – which it was yesterday evening. The Southern minister added the EU member states are “ready to roll” when it comes to Brexit talks. These are due to start within days although they could be delayed given the UK’S political uncertainty. Mr Flanagan said: “I’m conscious of the fact this clock is ticking. We’re a year now since the referendum. “We lost some time over the last seven weeks during the General Election campaign. “Europe is ready to start these negotiations. Ireland is ready to sit with our 26 EU colleagues and commence the negotiations because uncertainty is the enemy of stability and uncertainty is the enemy of business.” Asked if he would be against a delay, Mr Flanagan added: “We’re ready to roll. My understanding from all of my EU colleagues is that they’re ready to roll. “It’s been said that Europe
wishes to punish the UK, I see no evidence of that, I see no intention of that.” Meanwhile, the DUP said the discussions with the Conservative Party over an agreement to help them form a Government are still ongoing. On Saturday evening, a spokesman for Number 10 said the DUP “have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement”. But in a statement from the Democratic Unionists released at midnight on Saturday, the party failed to confirm any agreement had been made on a deal, saying talks had been “positive” so far. Mrs Foster is due to meet Mrs May tomorrow for talks and told Sky News: “We had very good discussions yesterday with the Conservative Party in relation to how we could support them in forming a national government – one that would bring stability to the nation. Those discussions continue.” The statement said: “The DUP today [Saturday] held discussions with representatives of the Conservative Party in line with Arlene Foster’s commitment to explore how we might bring stability to the nation at this time of great challenge. “The talks so far have been positive. Discussions will continue next week to work on the details and to reach agreement on arrangements for the new Parliament.” The earlier statement from Number 10 stated the parties had reached an agreement on a “confidence and supply basis”. It added: “We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond. “The details will be put forward for discussion and agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Monday.” Sinn Fein’s leader in the North Michelle O’neill hit out at DUP following the news that an apparent deal had been reached, saying the party had “betrayed the interests” of the people of Northern Ireland. Mrs O’neill said: “She said: “It is no surprise that the DUP has agreed to prop up the probrexit and pro-austerity Tory Government of Theresa May. “The Irish Government needs to seize the initiative to secure designated special status for the North within the EU as part of the Brexit negotiations. “They have once again betrayed the interests of the people of the North by supporting a Tory party which has cut funding to our public services year on year to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds. “Experience shows us that unionists have minimal influence on any British Government. “They have achieved little propping up Tory Governments in the past and put their own interests before those of the people. “This new arrangement between the DUP and the Tories will be transitory and will end in tears. “But it will be the people of the North who will have to pay the price for the DUP’S support for Brexit and for cuts.”
This new arrangement between the DUP and Tories will end in tears MICHELLE O’NEILL SINN FEIN NORTHERN CHIEF