If you're going to insist on no border you have to start by putting forward a proposal where that's possible.
None, other than the UK reversing their decision.What scenarios are possible that don't involve a hard border?
None, other than the UK reversing their decision.
That's a tad revisionist. For the greater part of this State's existence we have been chronically poor and disadvantaged compared to the six counties. What changed all that was our joining the common market in 1973. Picture the scenario, a group of eight of the richest nations on earth plus a ninth peripheral but tiny basket case. We were lavished with what amounted to charity. Add to that a good bit of cute hoorism, bending the single market rules on taxation for example, inspired by the likes of CJH and Larry G and we rose to the top of the prosperity league.Partition has been an economic and social disaster for Northern Ireland. We shouldn't be left to foot the bill, socially or economically.
We have no veto on the terms of Brexit.
Loath that I am to quote your favourite ginger economist [broken link removed] is interesting reading.That's a tad revisionist. For the greater part of this State's existence we have been chronically poor and disadvantaged compared to the six counties. What changed all that was our joining the common market in 1973. Picture the scenario, a group of eight of the richest nations on earth plus a ninth peripheral but tiny basket case. We were lavished with what amounted to charity. Add to that a good bit of cute hoorism, bending the single market rules on taxation for example, inspired by the likes of CJH and Larry G and we rose to the top of the prosperity league.
I wasn't born when we joined the EEC so that bits all before my time.I read in today's IT that Prof Kinsella is urging that we join our neighbour in pursuing Irexit. Part of his case is how the EU abused us over the bail out. Irexit means a return to the pre 1973 norms. By the way I remember the Hard Border pre 1973. The customs checks were all on the Southern side. Latterly the security checks were on the Northern side, but it was the South that was most exposed to a customs free border.
We have no veto on the terms of Brexit.
do we really think we could use that Nuke to have the Border thing sorted out up front.
I suppose. It's the equivalent to firing missiles over Japan without actually deploying them. I see your point,As I understand it we have a veto on the final deal. Not on the terms of the deal. I.e. we can say no to the package presented, we cannot pick and choose within the package.
Probably not, that is why we should announce as loudly as possible and as soon as possible that we will.
That would increase the pressure on both the UK and the EU negotiators to do a deal that avoids a return to a hard border. We can climb down if necessary later but we should be as vociferous as possible now. After all how to define a hard border.
The EU are saying that they want the UK to work within the same framework as every other country which has free trade with the EU. The UK does indeed want it all in their favour. To suggest that it is the EU who are being difficult, or to suggest that the UK is being genuine by an reasonable measure, is erroneous.It is clever politicking by FG but they are seeking the commitment from the wrong source. The UK has been very clear from the outset that they want the continuation of full free trade with the EU so they have been quite genuine that they don't want a hard border albeit admittedly this would not be primarily driven by concern for Ireland North or South. It is the EU who do not want the UK to have their cake and eat it and who will impose tariffs on UK exports to the EU. It is the EU who will force Ireland to implement a hard border.
Everybody knows this and last week we were let into the plan to square all these circles - an EU/UK border in the Irish Sea. FG are playing the SF/IRA card and it will backfire.
I agree with all that. Dan O'Brien had a good article in the Sindo. He observes that Leo is playing a very high stakes game. There is nothing the little englanders would like better than to throw the toys out of the pram and as a bonus be able to blame Ireland. On the other hand if we get what we ask for our position is weakened with our EU partners the next time we try and veto progress on corporation tax.The EU are saying that they want the UK to work within the same framework as every other country which has free trade with the EU. The UK does indeed want it all in their favour. To suggest that it is the EU who are being difficult, or to suggest that the UK is being genuine by an reasonable measure, is erroneous.
Politics on the "little englander" wing of the Tory Party is driving the UK's narrative, not reason or the UK's broader self interest.