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US unlikely to back UK trade deal that undermines Ireland's open borders - Varadkar

The Taoiseach does not believe US Congress will agree to any post-Brexit trade deal with the UK t...
Michael Staines
Michael Staines

21.55 22 Feb 2019


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US unlikely to back UK trade d...

US unlikely to back UK trade deal that undermines Ireland's open borders - Varadkar

Michael Staines
Michael Staines

21.55 22 Feb 2019


Share this article


The Taoiseach does not believe US Congress will agree to any post-Brexit trade deal with the UK that undermines Ireland’s open border.

Leo Varadkar was speaking after the Government published a "landmark" package of legislation aimed at limiting the damage of a potential ‘no-deal’ Brexit.

With just 35 days to go until the UK leaves the bloc, there is still no deal in sight.

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The UK is looking for legally binding changes to the Irish border backstop – something the EU has consistently rejected.

Talks aimed at providing assurances that the backstop will not run indefinitely, likely to be contained in the Political Declaration that complements the deal, are ongoing.

Trade deal

The impasse has led to hard-line Brexiteers calling for the UK to leave without a deal; however, the Taoiseach believes that could scupper one of their highest hopes – a wide-ranging bilateral deal with the US.

“Westminster might be the mother of all parliaments but it’s not the boss of other parliaments and I know the European Parliament will not vote for a withdrawal agreement that does not do right by Ireland,” he said.

“And I don’t believe the United States Congress will agree to any trade between the US and the UK that would undermine the Good Friday Agreement and the open border between North and South.”

Brexit

He said the “remarkable solidarity and unity on the EU side” has been one of the most striking things about the Brexit negotiations so far.

“It has been strong and resolute,” he said. “Ireland’s concerns have become EU concerns.”

“Our insistence on a legally binding and operable means to avoid a hard border has become an EU insistence.

“While we work to find a solution, we are preparing for every eventuality – to ensure that our farming and business communities are insulated from the worst effects.

“Whatever the outcome, we will be as prepared as we can be.”

"Charade"

He also took aim at Sinn Féin, calling the party’s no confidence motion in the health Minister Simon Harris a “charade” that was “really aimed at attacking Fianna Fáil.”

He noted that Sinn Féin is democratically elected to three Parliaments – but is only sitting in one.

“They refuse to take their seats in Westminster, even though it is making critical decisions about the future of our island,” he said.

“They pulled down another parliament in Northern Ireland.

“And now they want to leave our country without a parliament by forcing an unnecessary election weeks away from Brexit.

“I’m sorry Mary Lou, but in my book it is three strikes and you’re out.”

Confidence and supply

There was also a dig at Fianna Fáil over the extension of the confidence and supply agreement.

He recognised the party for “providing political stability given the uncertainty of Brexit” by extending the confidence and supply agreement.

“But is there a sting in the tail?” he asked.

“I wonder, if FF was 5% - 10% ahead in the polls for the last year, would they be quite so willing to facilitate us?

“Time will tell.”


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