Leo: We can seal a Brexit deal in weeks
Taoiseach’s hope as May hit with double whammy
Leo Varadkar on the Isle of Man yesterday A BREXIT deal is possible in the next couple of weeks, the Taoiseach said yesterday – but talks would still go on for years.
Leo Varadkar spoke as the British Government reeled from a double whammy.
Theresa May’s transport minister – Boris Johnson’s brother Jo – quit over the withdrawal agreement.
And the DUP accused the Prime Minister of being “wedded” to a border down the Irish Sea.
Mr Varadkar told yesterday’s British-irish Council meeting on the Isle of Man: “I’m hopeful that it can be done in the next few weeks.
“I think it is more likely than not that we will be able to conclude an agreement in the next few weeks before the end of the year.
“But lots of things can go wrong and even if we can agree before the end of the year, bear in mind that what’s agreed will have to be ratified in Westminster, will also have to be ratified by the European Parliament.” Shortly after he spoke Jo Johnson announced his resignation, saying: “It has become increasingly clear to me that the withdrawal agreement, which is being finalised even as I write, will be a terrible mistake.” He added the proposed deal would leave the UK “economically weakened, with no say in the EU rules it must follow and years of uncertainty for business” but the alternative is a no-deal Brexit which “will inflict untold damage on our nation”. Calling for a second referendum he said: “Given that the reality DUP’S of Brexit has Arlene Foster turned out
YESTERDAY
THE Central Bank of Ireland has published its strategy for the next three years and how they will deal with Brexit.
It sets out five themes which are being prioritised as well as solidifying their commitment to serving the public interest.
Governor Philip R Lane said: “Brexit has short-term and long-term implications for the structure of the Irish economy and the to be so far from what was once promised, the democratic thing to do is to give the public the final say.”
Earlier yesterday the DUP claimed a promise made by Mrs May in a letter she would never let a division of the UK “come into force” was an admission that such a clause would be included in a final deal.
Party leader Arlene Foster told RTE News: “From her letter, it appears the Prime Minister is wedded to the idea of a border down the Irish Sea with Northern Ireland in the EU single market regulatory regime.
“In other words we will have a different regulatory system from the rest of the UK, and essentially there’s going to be a border down the Irish Sea. No unionist would be able to support that.”
The PM is wedded to the idea of a border down the Irish Sea ARLENE FOSTER
trading system. It has also meant a significant expansion in the set of firms looking to use Ireland as a base to serve the EU27 financial system and it is forcing a rethink of the appropriate framework for regulating trade in financial services between the EU27 and other locations.”
The strategy was developed following consultation with the public and other stakeholders.