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Ireland's commitment to border backstop remains "absolute" - Coveney

The Tánaiste has noted that Ireland remains absolutely committed to the Brexit Withdrawal ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

12.50 19 Jan 2019


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Ireland's commitment t...

Ireland's commitment to border backstop remains "absolute" - Coveney

Newstalk
Newstalk

12.50 19 Jan 2019


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The Tánaiste has noted that Ireland remains absolutely committed to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement rejected by the UK Government this week.

Simon Coveney issued the warning as UK Prime Minister Theresa May prepares for a House of Commons statement on Brexit next week.

She is expected to use the speech to set out her strategy for bringing the process forward – after MPs rejected the agreement in resounding fashion last week.

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Minister Coveney said he was reiterating the Irish Government’s stance as some of the analysis printed in the media this morning “gets it wrong.”

Writing in The Irish Independent meanwhile, Ireland EU Commissioner Phil Hogan accused Mrs May’s Tory party of peddling a “toxic lie” on Brexit.

He said it is time for mainstream British politicians to “drop the fanciful rhetoric and start speaking the plain, unvarnished truth.”

“Then, at last, we might be able to find a way out of this messy situation.

“Too many Conservative MPs continue to peddle the toxic lie that a hard Brexit would be the best outcome for the UK.

“It would not.”

File photo of the UK Prime Minister Theresa May at Downing Street, London, 18-01-2018. Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/PA Images

Incredulous

Meanwhile, Mrs May spoke with a number of European leaders this week about the ongoing impasse.

However, it has been reported that diplomats were left incredulous that she used the conversations to continue on with the same set of demands – despite her defeat in the House.

It comes as the UK Labour Party’s shadow Brexit secretary urged his colleagues to keep the option of a second referendum on the table.

Speaking at the Fabian Society New Year conference in London, he said: "As I set out in Liverpool, a public vote has to be an option for Labour."

"After all, deeply embedded in our values are internationalism, collaboration and cooperation with our European partners," he said.

The second option he set out was for Labour to force the UK Government into a deal based around the current customs union.

He also called for an "open and frank debate" to break the House of Commons deadlock warning that there are "no easy routes" out of the current crisis.

"No deal"

It came after his party leader Jeremy Corbyn again refused to meet with Mrs May unless she took the threat of a “no-deal” Brexit off the table.

He branded the talks she has been holding with other parties “not genuine” as she continues to reject all calls for a customs union with the EU – something Mr Corbyn insists is "necessary" to gain parliamentary support for any new plan.

In a letter to Mrs May, he slammed Mrs May for ruling out an extension of Article 50 or a second referendum.

"Whatever one thinks of those issues, that reinforces the view these are not genuine talks, but designed to play for time and give the appearance of reaching out, whilst sticking rigidly to your own emphatically rejected deal," he wrote.

His letter came as it was reported Brexiteer cabinet ministers have warned Mrs May she risks splitting up the Conservative Party if she gives way to customs union calls.

Additional reporting from IRN ...


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