lightspeed wrote: » Seems Brits were right that the germans and french would be willing to negotaite to ensure access to the british market.
Headshot wrote: » He does alright, he looks like all that pressure is off his shoulders
Professor Moriarty wrote: » He might not end up dead in a ditch. Nice bonus.
Professor Moriarty wrote: » Report on Varadkar at press conference:He says he has learnt two things about the EU in his two years as taoiseach. He has seen the unity of the EU, and what it can achieve if it stands together. This is a lesson for the future, he says. And he says he has felt, as leader of a small country, “enormous solidarity” from the EU. Sometime small states like Ireland think they will be swallowed up by an organisation like the EU. But Ireland has felt respected. He says he feels sad about Brexit. It is like an old friend going on a journey. He hopes it works out for them. But there will always be a place for the UK if it wants to come back. Kudos.
Bambi wrote: » Chances are that once EU got what they wanted on customs, VAT on FOM they pulled leo in and told him his red lines on the border needed to move and he did as he was told. solidarity my arse.
joseywhales wrote: » The uncertainty of the status of the UK is costing a LOT. It has to be resolved. Alienating large European countries has proven fatal I'm the past. Ireland , a member, would be devastated by UK isolationism. It's in their interest not to let the UK alienate themselves. There will be a trade deal but it will take about 10 years to negotiate.
Professor Moriarty wrote: » Dunno. All Irish politicians seem to be happy with the deal.
Bambi wrote: » All Irish politicians are short termist and could not give a fiddlers about the north insofar as they can get away with. Except Sinn fein, who are just short termist. Boris red lines are okay in this deal, he never really cared about the north bar numbers in parliament The EUs red lines are intact Ireland's red lines are now a pale shade of pink Guess who was told to blink and did?
boggerman1 wrote: » That snake oil salesman farage is sounding so pissed off on lbc now.its great to hear him squirm.
Frosty Perception wrote: » it's slightly worrying that everyone is talking like this is all done 'n dusted. i am an optimist by nature, but when it comes to Brexit i cannot help but feel there are more twist and turns on this rocky road. are they all forgetting about the basket case that is the HoC?
Mr.Nice Guy wrote: » Varadkar has sacrificed the backstop in the hope that Stormont's ghost parliament puts pragmatism before patriotism. In the event that Stormont is not operational, we're relying on the UK government to convene a sitting of MLAs to push through a deal based on a simple majority. He essentially conceded to a time limited backstop (4 years) with the difference being rather than relying on a dysfunctional Westminster at the end of the period, we're relying on a dysfunctional Stormont.
Itssoeasy wrote: » Did I imagine it or was it a parody account(I've seen journalists get caught with this) where Nigel farage was defending the benn act ? IF that's true then a Romanian gymnast comes to mind from the 1976 Olympics.
Varta wrote: » It is difficult to comprehend how any sentient being could look at what has occurred and be so wrong in their interpretation. Or are you trolling?
joseywhales wrote: » Barnier!
Hurrache wrote: » It's pretty much a permanent stop but effective from the beginning. It hasn't gone away you know.
Professor Moriarty wrote: » Could you expand on your argument with some relevant detail?
Bambi wrote: » Do you need it explained? Johnsons red line was consent, that Northern Ireland would get to vote on the continuation of any arrangement every four years Varadkers red line was that there would be a guarantee that there would be no Hard Border. That was the whole purpose of the Backstop as a failsafe. Stormont can now vote to impose a hard border. Who's red line shifted? Will I break out the whiteboard?
Mr.Nice Guy wrote: » Varadkar has conceded it has gone: "The backstop has been replaced with a new solution." He's putting all his eggs in the Stormont basket case.
Frosty Perception wrote: » an interesting caller to LBC. DUP supporter not happy. he believes that all SF need to do is not show up in Stormont (they're good at that btw) and NI is effectively stuck in the EU. caller actually said he would rather REMAIN than vote for this deal!
Bambi wrote: » Stormont can now vote to impose a hard border. Who's red line shifted? Will I break out the whiteboard?
Frosty Perception wrote: » an interesting caller to LBC. DUP supporter not happy. he believes that all SF need to do is not show up in Stormont (they're good at that btw) and NI is effectively stuck in the EU. caller actually he would rather REMAIN than vote for this deal!
If one side tries believes they don't have the numbers and tries to collapse Stormont there would still be a one-off consent vote, even though no MLAs are normally sitting. The vote would be based on those who turn up, and would again be based on a simple majority
Professor Moriarty wrote: » Under what circumstances will Stormont impose a hard border?
Mr.Nice Guy wrote: » That was what seemed to be the case based on rumours last night. But the details outlined today appear to prevent that happening, as Tony Connelly reported: So if for some reason Sinn Fein have decided not to be involved - a dispute over a rights issue for example - then it would boil down to the UK getting consent just from those who turn up. Presumably the unionists would have the numbers without Sinn Fein involvement. Means SF are now integral to the continuing protection of Ireland's all-island customs regime. The Mary Lou-stop.