Brexit Deadlines

With the March 29, 2019, deadline for the withdrawal of the United kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) fast approaching, there is still no clarity about their future relationship.The UK is determined to leave the EU, the customs union and the single market, as well as the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. At the same time, it is seeking frictionless access to the EU market for its goods and services. The EU has made it clear that a free trade agreement with an external country cannot replicate the benefits of membership of the single market and the customs union. Before the trade issues are progressed, the situation about the Irish border has to be resolved.

Since joining the European Economic Community (which evolved into the EU following the 1992 Maastricht Treaty) with the UK and Denmark on January 1, 1973, Ireland has achieved remarkable progress in its economic development. Prior to that, it was almost fully dependent on the UK market for exports. Following admission, it gained unhindered access to a market now of over 500 million, which facilitated foreign direct investment, as well access to the benefits of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as structural and research funds. While Ireland had some doubts about the erosion of sovereignty under the Nice Treaty in 2001 and the Lisbon Treaty in 2008, both of which were carried after repeat referenda, and annoyance about the way it was treated in the banking crisis in 2008 which left the country with a 64 billion debt, it has remained very positive towards the EU with the support of all political parties. Ireland has decided that its future will be better served by membership of the remaining bloc of 27 countries as opposed to alignment with the UK after its departure.

By remaining in the EU, Ireland wants ‘a frictionless border’ with Northern Ireland as promised by the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May. Ireland is seeking to safeguard the peace process in Northern Ireland and avoid any hard border between North and South. In addition, the EU is a big supporter of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Some in the UK believe that the EU is using Ireland to pressurise the UK to remain in the single market and the customs union, which would lead to ‘a frictionless border’. There are some in the EU who believe that the UK is using Ireland to put pressure on the EU to negotiate a very favourable trade deal. The Irish question is now a big issue to be addressed and cannot be fudged any longer. There is a December 2017 ‘backdrop guarantee’ in place that the final agreement will contain no significant regulatory differences between North and South on the island of Ireland. The DUP Party in Northern Ireland are adamant that the North should be treated no differently to the rest of the UK.

A recent proposal in the UK for a customs partnership with the EU, which would keep the UK within the rules of the customs union, not part of it, has been rejected by their cabinet. This is Theresa May’s preferred option, but she has to convince the hard Brexiteers in her cabinet. This proposal would involve the UK collecting tariffs for the EU on goods arriving there that are intended for other member states. To find a workable outcome in the face of conflicting objectives is a big challenge for Theresa May, who leads a divided cabinet and a divided party, with the House of Lords making its voice heard. The Irish issue is expected to dominate the next EU summit meeting in June. As deadlines approach, there is considerable confusion and little agreement.

Bernard O’Hara’s most recent book is Exploring Mayo can be obtained by contacting www.mayobooks.ie.

Bernard O'Hara's latest book entitled Killasser: Heritage of a Mayo Parish is now on sale in the USA and UK as a paperback book at amazon.com, amazon.co.uk or Barnes and Noble

It is also available as an eBook from the Apple iBookstore (for reading on iPad and iPhone), from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk (Kindle & Kindle Fire) and from Barnesandnoble.com (Nook tablet and eReader).

An earlier publication, a concise biography of Michael Davitt, entitled Davitt by Bernard O’Hara published in 2006 by Mayo County Council , is now available as Davitt: Irish Patriot and Father of the Land League by Bernard O’Hara, which was published in the USA by Tudor Gate Press (www.tudorgatepress.com) and is available from amazon.com and amazon.co.uk. It can be obtained as an eBook from the Apple iBookstore (for reading on iPad and iPhone), from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk (Kindle & Kindle Fire) and from Barnesandnoble.com (Nook tablet and eReader).