‘Wishful thinking’ risks EU crash-out

IRELAND’S FOREIGN Affairs Minister has warned the British Government that time for “wishful thinking” is over if it wants to avoid crashing out of the European Union.

Ahead of a vote on Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement in Westminster next week, Simon Coveney said there is no alternative to the agreement “waiting to be dusted off ”.

Speaking in Dublin yesterday, Mr Coveney said: “It is also wishful thinking to ignore the default outcome if nothing else is agreed – that default is a crash-out.”

The Tanaiste (deputy head of government) was addressing ambassadors and dignitaries attending the Global Ireland 2025 Heads of Mission Conference.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also attended the event at Dublin Castle.

Mr Coveney said: “Surely now is the time in Westminster for everyone, in government and in opposition, to cast aside unrealistic options based on promises that simply cannot be delivered.

“It is the hardliners who think no price is too high to pay for their version of Brexit who will win out to everyone’s cost, including Ireland’s.”

The concept of the backstop – an agreement governing the customs status of the Ireland/Northern Ireland border in the event that Britain and the EU cannot agree a long-term relationship by the end of 2021 – has been the main sticking point preventing Mrs May’s Withdrawal Agreement from being passed by Parliament. It is opposed by a hardline group of MPs from her own Tory Party and their DUP allies.