The taoiseach branded the UK government’s proposals as “economically illogical” and cautioned that changes to the post-Brexit agreement the UK negotiated with the EU could “destabilize” Northern Ireland’s political situation.
In a speech to the Dail, the taoiseach characterized the UK government’s plans as “economically illogical” and warned that modifying the post-Brexit agreement the UK obtained with the EU may “destabilize” Northern Ireland’s political situation.
Mr. Martin also characterized the bill, which was released on Monday, as “very disheartening” and “reckless.”
“I want to say fundamentally, and it is with regret that I say this, that I get the sense that the current British government doesn’t fully understand the Good Friday Agreement or doesn’t understand its DNA and what it means in terms of the involvement and co-guarantor nature of it between the British and Irish governments,” the taoiseach said.
“But also the broader interest from the European Union and the United States, and concurrently, we are now witnessing a denial of democracy in Northern Ireland, where the people have voted for the convening of an Assembly and the formation of an Executive. The failure to summon the Assembly is unacceptable.
“I feel that yesterday’s announcement of this legislation by the British government and the efforts of various British government ministers to justify it was a disheartening moment.”
Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Fein, described the British government’s action as “disgraceful and reckless” and accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of manipulating the issue to cling to power.
Ms. McDonald stated that Mr. Johnson’s aggressive stance toward Ireland is part of a cynical attempt to cling to power in Britain at any cost.
“It jeopardizes so much progress made by so many over such a lengthy period.
“It significantly undermines the so-hard-won Brexit protections for Ireland, and it risks severe economic and political harm.
This current action is part of a larger plan to undermine the Good Friday Agreement and deprive our people of a brighter future.
Brussels has threatened legal action after the UK government unveiled legislation that will supersede the convention governing Northern Ireland’s commercial relations post-Brexit.
The agreement is intended to prevent the restoration of a hard border between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, but it essentially creates a border in the Irish Sea and requires customs checks on British exports.
This, according to the United Kingdom, creates difficulties for businesses and poses a danger to the power-sharing arrangements established following the Good Friday peace deal of 1998, with the DUP refusing to support a new Northern Ireland administration until the issues are handled.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss told that the “unintended implications” of the agreement, which the United Kingdom accepted, necessitated action, as the situation was “gradually deteriorating.”
She stated, “This is why the administration is determined to respond, and we are doing so in a responsible manner.”
Labour, meanwhile, accused the administration of pressing the “nuclear button” in regards to the protocol.
The measure will allow authorities to establish a “green lane” allowing trustworthy traders to transport goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland without inspection, so long as the items remain within the United Kingdom.
Goods provided by companies not enrolled in the trusted trader program, as well as those going for Ireland and the EU, would pass through a red lane and be subject to inspection.
In a legal policy paper published alongside the measure, the government argues that the action is authorized under international law due to the “really exceptional circumstances.”
Vice President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic stated that the EU viewed the United Kingdom’s conduct with “serious worry” and will evaluate its future steps.
He stated that this will begin with the beginning of legal proceedings against the United Kingdom, which were stopped in September due to the country’s violation of the 2020 departure treaty.
As he ruled out renegotiation of the trade agreement, he stated that the EU would also consider pursuing additional legal actions to defend the integrity of the EU single market, in addition to resuming infringement procedures against the United Kingdom.
