UK says it expects no vaccine interruption from EU; Brussels admits Irish 'blunder'

But imposing restrictions on the Northern Irish border was a bridge too far, after five years of Brexit negotiations to keep it open. The issue is central to a 1988 peace deal that ended 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Ireland's European Affairs Minister, Thomas Byrne, said Dublin had not been consulted on the move.

A mistake/blunder?

The political implications to the Northern Ireland Protocol could reach far beyond vaccine procument.

The Northern Ireland Protocol

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-northern-ireland-protocol

The EU commission must be fully transparent as to who triggered article 16. At present the EU commission are refusing to disclose the Senior EU Officials responsible.

EU’s vaccine blunder reopens Brexit battle over Irish border.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/30/eus-vaccine-blunder-reopens-brexit-battle-over-irish-border

EU move on NI protocol in ‘very bitter’ vaccine row a mistake, says Martin

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/eu-move-on-ni-protocol-in-very-bitter-vaccine-row-a-mistake-says-martin-1.4472175

Th EU commission failed to even notify Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

I think Michael Gove from the UK handled this quite well.

"They have recognized they have made a mistake and I believe we can now concentrate on making sure that our vaccine program is successful," Michael Gove, a senior British cabinet minister told Sky News.

@itsonlyrockandroll

The political implications to the Northern Ireland Protocol could reach far beyond vaccine procument.

This is very true.

It is really important to get input from different perspectives, especially in this case where the EU was fundamentally wrong and admitted it. Opposing voices need to be heard and not silenced.

Northern Ireland is in a unique position relative to the EU and the UK. I would imagine there will be further issues that come up in the future.

Article 16 is the means to, in a manner of speaking, suspend the NI Protocol and only under 'serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties'.

Also, invoking article 16 would involve a procedure requiring the full participation and notification of all concerned parties and governments.

It is essential element to preserve the GFA.

I can understand the reasoning Politicians want to brush this all under the carpet

I think it would be in everybody's interests if in future the final say as to invoking article 16 lay with the relevant Governments and Parties, North and South.

Its frightening how both the British government and the EU think they can just arbitrarily break international law when it suits them (especially as Int law relates to NI. These laws are 'THE' reason why the violence has stopped. Take away the laws or egnore them - the violence comes back. These laws were so hard and painfully established , out of the violence and agreed upon after several years of difficult painstaking negotiations. But both the EU and the british govt think the laws are optional- when they think its in their interest. (Johnson was at this stuff last year also, lets not forgret, and only pulled-back because the EU said the Brexit talks would stop. Now the EU was trying it also, until the intervention of the Rep of Ireland government yesterday. If lawmakers don't honour the law how can they expect everyone else to? But to be positive, thankfully the EU has withdrawn this misjudged threat.

The one benefit has been to bring into focus the importance of not taking the Good Friday Agreement for granted.   

Or, playing fast and loose with the The Northern Ireland Protocol