Menu
15/10/2018
NI Border Debate Stalls Brexit Negotiations
Government sources have warned that Brexit negotiations have hit a "real problem" over the Irish border issue.
It is believed the European Union (EU) is seeking further reassurances to prevent a so-called 'hard border' involving physical checks being established between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Brexit secretary Dominic Raab sparked hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations when he made an unscheduled trip to Brussels on Sunday, 14 October, howeverthe talks faltered over the need for a backstop, which is a back up plan to avoid a hard border.
Prime Minster Theresa May has previously insisted that any backstop arrangement should apply to the UK as a whole to avoid creating a new border in the Irish Sea.
Sunday's talks are believed to have broken down after the EU insisted on a second backstop arrangement, just involving Northern Ireland, if the UK's version is not agreed in time.
The DUP has vowed to oppose any new regulations on goods passing between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said over the weekend: "It would be a chronic miscalculation and an utter disgrace if the policy of the British government was to be set by the most extreme elements of the Brexiteers and the needs and desires and the idiosyncrasies of the Democratic Unionist Party."
(JG)
It is believed the European Union (EU) is seeking further reassurances to prevent a so-called 'hard border' involving physical checks being established between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Brexit secretary Dominic Raab sparked hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations when he made an unscheduled trip to Brussels on Sunday, 14 October, howeverthe talks faltered over the need for a backstop, which is a back up plan to avoid a hard border.
Prime Minster Theresa May has previously insisted that any backstop arrangement should apply to the UK as a whole to avoid creating a new border in the Irish Sea.
Sunday's talks are believed to have broken down after the EU insisted on a second backstop arrangement, just involving Northern Ireland, if the UK's version is not agreed in time.
The DUP has vowed to oppose any new regulations on goods passing between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said over the weekend: "It would be a chronic miscalculation and an utter disgrace if the policy of the British government was to be set by the most extreme elements of the Brexiteers and the needs and desires and the idiosyncrasies of the Democratic Unionist Party."
(JG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 October 2018
NI Pro-Remain Parties To Meet Chief Brexit Negotiator
Politicians from the four main political parties in Northern Ireland who are pro-remain are planning to meet the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels. The delegation includes Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry and Green Party NI leader Steven Agnew.
NI Pro-Remain Parties To Meet Chief Brexit Negotiator
Politicians from the four main political parties in Northern Ireland who are pro-remain are planning to meet the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels. The delegation includes Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry and Green Party NI leader Steven Agnew.
29 November 2018
Government 'Must Fund Extra Officers To Police Irish Border Post Brexit'
The UK Government must give police financial assurances that they will have the resources to patrol the Irish border in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) has said.
Government 'Must Fund Extra Officers To Police Irish Border Post Brexit'
The UK Government must give police financial assurances that they will have the resources to patrol the Irish border in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) has said.
23 January 2019
Border Backstop Is The Brexit Solution-Alliance
The Alliance Party has spoken out about the controversial backstop, which they believe is a pragmatic solution to the possibility of a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit.
Border Backstop Is The Brexit Solution-Alliance
The Alliance Party has spoken out about the controversial backstop, which they believe is a pragmatic solution to the possibility of a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit.
22 May 2019
PM Outlines New Brexit Deal
Prime Minister Theresa May has set out a new Brexit deal which would seek to conclude alternative arrangements for the Irish backstop by December 2020.
PM Outlines New Brexit Deal
Prime Minister Theresa May has set out a new Brexit deal which would seek to conclude alternative arrangements for the Irish backstop by December 2020.
22 August 2019
MLAs Pen Letter Supporting Brexit Backstop
A cohort of assembly members have penned a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk expressing their support for the Brexit backstop. 49 pro-remain MLAs, including leaders of the SDLP, Sinn Fein, Alliance and Green parties, signed the letter supporting the controversial backstop, as contained in the withdrawal agreement.
MLAs Pen Letter Supporting Brexit Backstop
A cohort of assembly members have penned a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk expressing their support for the Brexit backstop. 49 pro-remain MLAs, including leaders of the SDLP, Sinn Fein, Alliance and Green parties, signed the letter supporting the controversial backstop, as contained in the withdrawal agreement.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
