The U.K government represents the best interests of the U.K citizens. It is not for the UK government to look after,or even consider,the interests of the Irish UNLESS it benefits the UK. As selfish as that sounds,this is what the EU and Varadkar are doing: they are only interested in the EU ,and don't give a fig for the democratic decision of the majority of the UK electorate,(that could be bothered to vote),to leave the EU and all of it's institutions. This is where Macron's statement about nationalism falls apart.He is a nationalist,except that he considers the EU to be the nation. For example,EU tariffs are imposed to protect the producers and manufacturers within the EU.(Juncker etc go even further down the nationalist path by making sweetheart deals that benefit their own countries at the expense of others in the EU). May etc have given the EU & Ireland a voice in these faux-negotiations that they have no right to use. Instead of representing the UK,they have represented the EU against the best interests,(as expressed by the majority of voters/yadayada) of the United Kingdom. And to add further salt to the wound,the EU are not even abiding by the articles written in their own treaties: Article 8 of the Lisbon Treaty "1. The Union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Union and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation. 2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Union may conclude specific agreements with the countries concerned. These agreements may contain reciprocal rights and obligations as well as the possibility of undertaking activities jointly. Their implementation shall be the subject of periodic consultation". Should the UK ever leave the EU,(I doubt it will with any of these politicians in the Houses but I hope public sentiment regarding the loss of democracy will be expressed in such a manner that the subsequent government will be elected on a solemn promise to do so),then the UK will be a,"neighbouring country",and will expect a relationship as described in the above article.
The N.I. issue has always been a technical one and not a political one but has always been the eu's last resort to stop us leaving so has been made into a political issue. In regards to the independence of North Ireland and possibly being part of Ireland instead of the U.K. , like Scotland and the U.K. itself who have already had their independence votes, at some point Wales and Northern Ireland would be entitled to have a vote on their independence too. As they are unlikely to be anytime soon, we are 4 nations under one groove and so should negotiate as such. If you look at what is being asked for, it isn't that hard. 195 countries in the world, only 28 are in the eu, we want to be part of the other 167
Oh, if only. True there is oil & gas offshore but unfortunately, either through misfeasance or, heaven forbid, malfeasance, various Govt ministers have sold it all off with no benefit accruing to the country. Ever. We could have been another Norway. https://www.historyireland.com/20th...centurythe-500-deal-for-irelands-gas-and-oil/ As for strategic shipping lanes I don’t think we can charge a toll for their use. I think that’s called piracy. I suppose, on the bright side, there is a Guinness factory in Dublin that works 24/7/365 producing most of the world’s Guinness; that’s an asset.
Clyde basin and beyond. not sold off yet because of trident yer shipping lanes are more important than you think. any idea what it costs to detour a supertanker, or refuse a warship? i would be lying if i quoted a figure but it did come up 5 years ago. we is talking big money.
I didn’t mean it to be one sided, just an observation of the situation. And, in answer to your question, yes. An Irish language act and rights for same sex marriage and abortions are the main sticking points with the DUP. Their stance on the latter two being why I referred to them as antediluvian.
I can well believe it costs a humongous amount of doubloons to divert a supertanker or any other large vessel and my familiarity with shipping law is minimal at best, however, I don’t believe countries can charge for the use of shipping lanes in their territorial waters. My understanding is it’s all done on a free passage basis; ‘you let my boats pass through your waters and Ill do the same for you’. Charging for accessing port facilities is a different matter. However, I stand to be corrected.
It's worth mentioning that only a 3 years ago the dup and Irish governments were aligned with anti lgbt and anti abortion laws. The idea the republic has been a house of understanding since time began is a bit of a falsehood. By pointing at the dup and saying look anti abortion, anti gay whilst forgetting the republic were doing the same only 3 years ago on lgbt and this year on abortion, seems a bit opportunist.
Which is their right too fin. My point is, given even in abortion, the republics position was the same as the dup's as late as only 6 months ago. To then within weeks say, look at them (dup) dinosaurs, would seem opportunist from a country that only 6 months before were dinosaurs themselves. Nothing worse than an ex alcoholic lecturing people who drink, on the wrongs of drink.
Agreed, and I wouldn't suggest otherwise. M. Barnier and the EU may be interested in the EU but Varadkar and the ROI Govt are interested in there not being a border on the island of Ireland again. For sure everyone has their own best interests at heart and feck the others - that's politics. We mustn't forget it's the UK that wants to leave so why should the people of Ireland, north & south, suffer? Also don't forget the majority of those in the north voted to remain. BTW, to declare my hand, I actually think Brexit will be a good thing for the UK - eventually. Err.... Ireland didn't vote to leave, the UK did. The people of Ireland are on the receiving end of that decision, of course they have a voice. I'm at a loss as to why Ireland (or the EU) would represent the UK? I agree with you absolutely on this point. However, these are negotiations and both sides are playing 'hard-ball' but I do believe the UK will exit, despite the best endeavours of many to resist it.
I agree. Unfortunately the UK Govt made a rash statement along the lines of 'we promise there'll be no hard border on the island of Ireland' in order to move the Brexit talks to the next stage. Personally, I don't think for one minute that any elected member of the UK cabinet had given any thought as to how that was actually going to be delivered on. I'm not aware that anyone is advocating the North become part of the Rupublic, but the possible domino effect leading to the break up of the Union is a concern for many. Agreed.
The Good Friday agreement, whilst not perfect, has meant peace in Ireland and Northern Ireland and is therefore rightly revered. It is not a solution to the problems though, but a means halt hostilities and to delay a final fix. The time for a final fix is arguably here now. A border must exist if the UK is to leave the EU. A border between Ireland and NI is not acceptable to the Irish. A border between NI and the rest of the UK is not acceptable to NI. If you accept that neither of these issues is solvable, the logical conclusion is that the UK cannot leave the EU (or the customs union - same thing). This of course is unacceptable to the UK based upon the Brexit vote. So the peoples on the Irish island will need to decide how to play things from here. And the UK will have to support reunification if that is what is decided, or the Irish will have to accept a border. I'm certain that if the UK actually leaves the EU - if - a cludge will be found for the border issue but that will once again be kicking the can down the road. It needs a permanent solution. TL,DR: It is unacceptable that the UK cannot make a clean break with the EU because a solution to the Irish issue cannot be found. Sorry for going over old ground. Just wanted my say.
These fake news bots are quite real-sounding. Perhaps that's because they have updated the "stupid" algorithm? Adding in stupid comments to make the postings sound like they are from real people, not bots.
Hmmm, certainly the views of many in the Republic, particularly those the Church still has its claws into, also share the antediluvian views. The referendum earlier this year to change the Constitution to de-illegalise abortion was a nasty, hard fought campaign from both sides with many having deeply entrenched views either way. Sure the Republic has been very backward with regards to LGBT and abortion but it's changing. Unfortunately I can't see the DUP changing.
Not quite. Sure abortion was (still is) illegal but the reality is nobody ever got prosecuted for either acquiring abortion pills over the internet or for leaving the jurisdiction of the state to procure an abortion. Unfortunately in the North that's not the case. Just at the this moment a mother is being prosecuted for obtaining abortion pills for her 15 year old daughter. Ahh. My view not that of the Govt. I doubt they'd say such a thing even if they thought it. True, one just has to look at our Transport minister, Shane Ross, to see an example of that.
