The TDs formed an orderly queue at precisely 5.18pm yesterday and with heavy hearts they clambered aboard the ‘Brexit Omnibus’.
The full title of this monster draft law – ‘The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019’ – is not something you would be advised to venture saying after pub closing time.
But the two dreary titles, long and short, are indeed a clue: by close of business tomorrow, almost 24 Dáil hours will have been devoted to legislation aimed at defending Irish interests arising from a disorderly Brexit.
The TDs will be back at it next week and the weeks after. And the most fervent hope is that nobody will want to use it after all.
It all reminded this writer of an encounter with a senior Irish Government personage in the days following the UK Brexit vote on June 23, 2016.
“So much of the resources of this small State will be tied up in this for years to come – and the best outcome we can ever hope for is damage limitation,” the character mused ruefully.
The sprawling legal package tabled last night at Leinster House includes measures to empower Dublin to rescue stricken companies, maintain things as diverse as financial markets settlements, insurance contracts, welfare payments, and “all-island” electricity supplies over the Border.
Introducing the package, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney repeated his assertion of last Friday that he hoped this suite of laws will never be used. This omnibus ticket is really only a standby.
As has been the habit since last December, all deliberations at Leinster House are now conducted with one eye on proceedings in that other parliament in London.
The Westminster carry-on is rarely encouraging, even though it has flashes of parliamentary bathos and drama. Though we risk coming at the argument from the nether end, we must say Irish politics seems mature and considered by comparison with that of the UK.
We have known for weeks that a Brexit extension was likely – largely because Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted Brexit would happen on time, on March 29. Yesterday she publicly conceded for the first time that Brexit can indeed be delayed. She confirmed she will put her Withdrawal Agreement, including whatever additional assurances she may have wrung from Brussels, to a ‘meaningful vote’ by March 12.
If that is again voted down, MPs will next day be offered two separate votes. One vote offers a no-deal Brexit, and the other a request to extend Brexit negotiations beyond the March 29 deadline.
Yes, the likely prospect of an extension comes with the sound of that can hitting the tar on the road once more. But it is far preferable to a no-deal crash-out Brexit.
Time for very belated realistic Brexit talks would be most welcome.
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » John Downing: 'All aboard the legal omnibus, we hope it never leaves terminus'
John Downing: 'All aboard the legal omnibus, we hope it never leaves terminus'
The TDs formed an orderly queue at precisely 5.18pm yesterday and with heavy hearts they clambered aboard the ‘Brexit Omnibus’.
The full title of this monster draft law – ‘The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019’ – is not something you would be advised to venture saying after pub closing time.
But the two dreary titles, long and short, are indeed a clue: by close of business tomorrow, almost 24 Dáil hours will have been devoted to legislation aimed at defending Irish interests arising from a disorderly Brexit.
The TDs will be back at it next week and the weeks after. And the most fervent hope is that nobody will want to use it after all.
It all reminded this writer of an encounter with a senior Irish Government personage in the days following the UK Brexit vote on June 23, 2016.
“So much of the resources of this small State will be tied up in this for years to come – and the best outcome we can ever hope for is damage limitation,” the character mused ruefully.
The sprawling legal package tabled last night at Leinster House includes measures to empower Dublin to rescue stricken companies, maintain things as diverse as financial markets settlements, insurance contracts, welfare payments, and “all-island” electricity supplies over the Border.
Introducing the package, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney repeated his assertion of last Friday that he hoped this suite of laws will never be used. This omnibus ticket is really only a standby.
As has been the habit since last December, all deliberations at Leinster House are now conducted with one eye on proceedings in that other parliament in London.
The Westminster carry-on is rarely encouraging, even though it has flashes of parliamentary bathos and drama. Though we risk coming at the argument from the nether end, we must say Irish politics seems mature and considered by comparison with that of the UK.
We have known for weeks that a Brexit extension was likely – largely because Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted Brexit would happen on time, on March 29. Yesterday she publicly conceded for the first time that Brexit can indeed be delayed. She confirmed she will put her Withdrawal Agreement, including whatever additional assurances she may have wrung from Brussels, to a ‘meaningful vote’ by March 12.
If that is again voted down, MPs will next day be offered two separate votes. One vote offers a no-deal Brexit, and the other a request to extend Brexit negotiations beyond the March 29 deadline.
Yes, the likely prospect of an extension comes with the sound of that can hitting the tar on the road once more. But it is far preferable to a no-deal crash-out Brexit.
Time for very belated realistic Brexit talks would be most welcome.
Source: Read Full Article