31/08/2017
Brexit: 'Fruitful' Talks On Irish Issues
There have been "fruitful" talks on Irish issues relating to Brexit, according to the European Commission's chief negotiator.
Michel Barnier also said "we are quite far from being able to say that sufficient progress has taken place".
He was speaking in Brussels at the end of the third week of Brexit negotiations.
Mr Barnier said: "The UK wants to take back control, wants to adopt its own standards and regulations - but it also wants to have these standards recognised automatically in the EU.
"That is what UK papers ask for. This is simply impossible. You cannot be outside the single market and shape its legal order."
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD that the Irish government must tackle any attempt by the British Government to undermine the Good Friday Agreement.
He was speaking following the conclusion of this phase of negotiations on Brexit.
Mr Adams said: "The fact that no definitive progress has been made in these talks is evidence that the British Brexit plans are unworkable and unrealistic.
"The Irish government should insist that the negotiations are not ready to move to the next stage.
"In the lead up to these negotiations, the British government produced a series of papers that were confused and contradictory.
"In relation to Ireland, the British Government said it is committed to safeguarding the Good Friday Agreement, opposing an EU Frontier in Ireland, and upholding Irish citizens’ rights.
"However, the position of the British government on leaving the Customs Union, Single Market, EU Court of Justice, and refusing to deal with the long term future of the European Convention of Human Rights directly contradicts their commitments on Ireland.
"It appears that in these negotiations the British government have been called out on these contradictions and have failed to bring forward solutions.
"At the same time, Theresa May has reiterated the nonsense that 'no deal is better than a bad deal', what is clear is that no deal is the worst outcome.
"What is required is for the North to designated Special Status within the EU to safeguard the rights of citizens, our agreements and our economy."
(CD)
Michel Barnier also said "we are quite far from being able to say that sufficient progress has taken place".
He was speaking in Brussels at the end of the third week of Brexit negotiations.
Mr Barnier said: "The UK wants to take back control, wants to adopt its own standards and regulations - but it also wants to have these standards recognised automatically in the EU.
"That is what UK papers ask for. This is simply impossible. You cannot be outside the single market and shape its legal order."
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD that the Irish government must tackle any attempt by the British Government to undermine the Good Friday Agreement.
He was speaking following the conclusion of this phase of negotiations on Brexit.
Mr Adams said: "The fact that no definitive progress has been made in these talks is evidence that the British Brexit plans are unworkable and unrealistic.
"The Irish government should insist that the negotiations are not ready to move to the next stage.
"In the lead up to these negotiations, the British government produced a series of papers that were confused and contradictory.
"In relation to Ireland, the British Government said it is committed to safeguarding the Good Friday Agreement, opposing an EU Frontier in Ireland, and upholding Irish citizens’ rights.
"However, the position of the British government on leaving the Customs Union, Single Market, EU Court of Justice, and refusing to deal with the long term future of the European Convention of Human Rights directly contradicts their commitments on Ireland.
"It appears that in these negotiations the British government have been called out on these contradictions and have failed to bring forward solutions.
"At the same time, Theresa May has reiterated the nonsense that 'no deal is better than a bad deal', what is clear is that no deal is the worst outcome.
"What is required is for the North to designated Special Status within the EU to safeguard the rights of citizens, our agreements and our economy."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 August 2024
BCC Consultation On Draft Irish Language Policy
Belfast City Council has announced a new public consultation on their new draft Irish language policy. The draft policy sets out how the council plans to promote Irish and use Irish across its services, including interpreting and translation, key documents and publications, signage at facilities, on the council website belfastcity.gov.
BCC Consultation On Draft Irish Language Policy
Belfast City Council has announced a new public consultation on their new draft Irish language policy. The draft policy sets out how the council plans to promote Irish and use Irish across its services, including interpreting and translation, key documents and publications, signage at facilities, on the council website belfastcity.gov.
01 July 2024
Fibrus Supports Over 30 Northern Irish Community Groups
Over 30 Northern Irish community groups are receiving grants from Fibrus this year to improve internet and digital technology access across the region.
Fibrus Supports Over 30 Northern Irish Community Groups
Over 30 Northern Irish community groups are receiving grants from Fibrus this year to improve internet and digital technology access across the region.
02 May 2003
Adams attacks Irish justice minister
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has launched a scathing attack on Irish justice minister Michael McDowell claiming he wouldn't trust him "to go to the shop for a bottle of milk". Mr Adams made his remark after the Dail TD claimed the Irish Government's role within the current peace process was that of an honest broker.
Adams attacks Irish justice minister
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has launched a scathing attack on Irish justice minister Michael McDowell claiming he wouldn't trust him "to go to the shop for a bottle of milk". Mr Adams made his remark after the Dail TD claimed the Irish Government's role within the current peace process was that of an honest broker.
19 September 2023
SF Backs Legal Challenges Against Govt's Legacy Bill
A Belfast-based law firm has brought a total of 11 separate legal challenges against the UK government's Legacy Bill. KRW Law have brought to cases on behalf of families of people who died during the troubles.
SF Backs Legal Challenges Against Govt's Legacy Bill
A Belfast-based law firm has brought a total of 11 separate legal challenges against the UK government's Legacy Bill. KRW Law have brought to cases on behalf of families of people who died during the troubles.
07 September 2023
NI Ministers Condemn Passing Of 'Cynical And Cruel' Legacy Bill
NI Ministers have condemned the passing of the UK government's much criticised Legacy Bill, with the DUP describing it as a 'dark day for innocent victims' and Sinn Féin as 'cynical and cruel'. The controversial bill passed it's final stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 06 September.
NI Ministers Condemn Passing Of 'Cynical And Cruel' Legacy Bill
NI Ministers have condemned the passing of the UK government's much criticised Legacy Bill, with the DUP describing it as a 'dark day for innocent victims' and Sinn Féin as 'cynical and cruel'. The controversial bill passed it's final stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 06 September.