Irish foreign minister warns of breakdown in EU-UK relations

I have lost any respect I ever had for the British. They richly deserve any and every bad thing that comes of this. It would serve UK right if the EU simply embargoed UK altogether. No ferries, no flights, no Chunnel trains. Then make the unification of Ireland a pre-requisite for an end to the embargo. UK should tread carefully as the EU could do grave damage to them, especially if Scotland declares independence.

Ireland unification, a pre-requisite to end useless talks.

In sustaining their fantasy of Britain as hapless victim of the big, bad, bullying EU, Northern Ireland has political utility to Her Majesty's Government for the first time in its 100 year existence.

However, its business and farming communities predominantly welcome the opportunities that the Northern Ireland Protocol bring them (with free access to both the EU and UK markets). Anti-NIP protests are tiny.

It's an issue only for those politicians whose fevered support for Brexit (rejected by the majority of the region) was fed by their own brand of Project Fear - the inevitable greening culturally, socially and politically of the place in the slow but inevitable demographic shift to greater Irish identity and eventual all-island unity.

With May 2022 elections for the devolved NI assembly projected to deliver a Sinn Féin First Minister, greater existential challenges loom for the region's role in the UK, especially with such a culturally, economically and socially attractive alternative on its doorstep.

If Boris or Frostie were true unionists they'd think twice about making Northern Ireland a political football.

The British govt needs turmoil to cover up the mess they are in.

After this they will find something new and again and again.

They are trying to maintain their relevance.

And sadly being led by a "jingoistic" govt who is only interested in scoring points. it is leading a once respected nation down the tubes.

They negotiated this agreement, but in their haste to secure Brexit they neglected to foresee the consequences of their actions.

Desert Tortoise 07:41 am JST

I have lost any respect I ever had for the British.

I'm sure they're devastated to hear that.

Northern Ireland protocol: Article 16......

https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/northern-ireland-protocol-article-16

I think the question is will Boris Johnson Government trigger Article 16 ?

If so, what will happen next?

The protocol does not define what constitutes either “serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties”, or a “diversion of trade”, so there remains ambiguity around threshold for taking unilateral measures.

The present UK government, signed a legally binding treaty/agreement, frankly without any intention of honouring that Treaty/agreement.

All nations have to honour International law. No ifs or buts.

I have never been a fan of unions, federal, more so, it moves the electorate further away from holding there politicians accountable.

There might be extenuating circumstances, but no excuses, sign it, you own it, with all the consequences.

Worst still is the steadily deteriorating bilateral relations predominant to UK immediate neighbour France. This important bilateral relationship and in many respects multilateral cooperation/dialogue is literality dissolving into outright belligerence.

UK is a essential trading partner to EU member states, a trade war, coupled with the continuing pandemic would be ruinous.

It is in many respects understandable that member states would be exasperated, and aggrieved that UK in a referendum chose to withdrawal from the European Union.

Having said that, Jean-Claude Juncker, former President of the European Commission had the opportunity, when David Cameron, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom suggested reforming the Union and foolishly turned his back.

After decades of economic and political interdependence, the break was a maze of angry indignation.

It seemingly remarkably never occurred to Juncker how thoroughly intertwined the member states had become, even the commission great power is limited in its ability to handle various problems on its own. 

The French and German governments were pulling the strings, and the result is now unfolding.

the Brits will have to break their own laws to achieve this.

you couldn't make it up.

their reputation will be mud

I think the implementation of the NI protocol.

How both UK and EU have there own, can we say, unique interpretation of treaty law rules, that will continue to, putting it mildly, a bone of contention.

Boris Johnson, is not by any methodology, diplomatically or politically a straight forward character.

Johnson is rather slippery, easy to underestimate, above all difficult to read.

Northern Ireland Protocol: the way forward........

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1008451/CCS207_CCS0721914902-005_Northern_Ireland_Protocol_Web_Accessible_1.pdf

The would require the EU commission, to basically scrap any application of EU state aid rules to Northern Ireland, and the fundamentality any oversight of the European Court of Justice.

I don't think the French Government will entertain such a proposal.

The withdrawal agreement states parties can make “proportionate rebalancing measures” if deems to be fit.

This is where the situation could spiral out of control.

There has been suggestion of an EU energy embargo touted by the French government.

Such a hostile act could be met with seizures of member states utility assets.

We are referring to Nato allies.

The most logical step is for a period of reflection, both the UK and EU agree to suspend the NI protocol for between 6 to 12 months. Deep breaths to find a solution.

The withdrawal agreement states parties can make “proportionate rebalancing measures” if deems to be fit. This is where the situation could spiral out of control.

Eh, no. What it implies are retaliatory tariffs on UK products entering the EU. However, even those have to be handled deftly as some EU members might feel their economy will suffer disproportionately and object.

Solution? Solution? A no-brainier: Tell the Ulster Unionists to either move back to where they came from (Britain) or accept they have lived in Ireland for 400 years and integrate, prosper and act rationally (for once). Then the British and EU economies can prosper. Its not just the EU who will punish Britain either. In the USA there is an absolutely solid cross-party determination that Britain must adhere to its agreements surrounding this issue. When will Britain wake-up to the folly of placating toxic Ulster Unionism? It will be the ruin of Britain's economy and relationships with their usual partners.