Brexit extension agreed but question now is if it’s long enough for UK to change approach

Good morning, although anyone who stayed up for the conclusions of the summit in Brussels has probably yet to draw the curtains.

At the emergency Brexit summit, the EU27 offered British prime minister Theresa May an extension of the article 50 period until October 31st, with the proviso that Britain can leave if and when the withdrawal agreement is ratified by the House of Commons.

The summit concluded around 1am Irish time, when May, who still hopes the UK can exit before the European Parliament elections at the end of May, accepted the EU’s offer. Speaking afterwards, the prime minister said her government will renew its talks with Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour in an attempt to get the withdrawal agreement passed.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Halloween extension gives time for Westminster to reach a cross party consensus, adding there are three options for the UK: “To revoke, and stay in the European Union, to accept the deal that’s on the table or to leave with no deal.”

Macron says ‘Non’ to long Brexit extension as European elections loom

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Six month Brexit delay gives Conservatives time to elect new leader

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May vows to ‘press on’ with talks as Brexit is delayed until October 31st

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Ireland faces the very real threat of a no-eel Brexit

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Denis Staunton, Pat Leahy and Paddy Smyth have extensive coverage here and in the paper.

The October date, with a review in June, is a compromise between those such as Germany and EU council Donald Tusk, who favoured a longer extension of nine months to a year, and the tougher position of French president Emmanuel Macron, who wanted a much shorter delay.

The question now is if six months is a long enough period for the UK to change its approach. Speaking as he entered the summit, Varadkar seemed to dropped a heavy incentive to Corbyn to do a deal with May, if she moves on her red lines and allows for a permanent, post-Brexit customs union between the EU and UK to be written into the political declaration that accompanies the withdrawal agreement.

The argument against a customs union from many in Westminster has been that the UK would not have any say in trade deals struck between the EU and other trading blocs, but Varadkar moved to influence the internal British debate.

“If the UK were to decide to stay in a customs union, we would be able to develop something ‘sui generis’ so that they would have a say around things in terms of future trade deals, and a level playing field around labour rights and environmental rights,” he said.

His comments were picked up by Corbyn, who tweeted that Varadkar “has confirmed this evening that Labour’s alternative plan for a new customs union with a UK say on future trade deals is credible and deliverable”.

Tusk said: “Our wish and our hope is the UK will be ready with the final solution at the end of October.” But another extension cannot be ruled out if paralysis continues in Westminster, and a general election or another referendum is needed to break the deadlock. “I’m too old to exclude another scenario,” added Tusk wearily.

On the domestic front, an extension until the end of October arguably makes an Irish general election this year less likely, unless the UK manages to actually leave the EU before Halloween.

An autumn election was seen as a prospect within Leinster House if Brexit had been solved, but the chances of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael passing one more budget and seeing confidence and supply through until 2020 will increase if Brexit uncertainty continues all the way until the pumpkins are lit.

Questions remain after FAI and Delaney appear at Oireachtas committee

Tiered seating was almost needed in Committee Room Four in the basement of the Leinster House complex yesterday given the interest in the appearance of John Delaney and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) at the Oireachtas committee on transport, tourism and sport.

The tone for the hearing was set early on when Delaney - formerly FAI chief executive, now executive vice-president - cited legal advice as a reason he could not discuss a €100,000 loan he gave the association in 2017. He also made clear he would not be answering questions about the FAI’s finances or his role as chief executive “either directly or indirectly”.

Conor Gallagher outlines how the shadow of the Angela Kerins case hung over the hearing. In February, the Supreme Court said it was likely to find in favour of the former Rehab chief executive, who had argued the Public Accounts Committee exceeded it powers when it questioned her about her salary and the charity's finances.

TDs and senators are still grappling with how to approach figures like Delaney who appear at Oireachtas committees in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s signal that committees no longer enjoy absolute privilege. Harry McGee reported on the proceedings , including the disclosure that a review of senior roles in the organisation - which paved the way for Delaney to be appointed to a new position - only commenced last month after the issue of the €100,000 loan was queried by The Sunday Times.

"It was completed within a matter of weeks, with Mr Delaney being appointed without interview," McGee reports.

Miriam Lord says Delaney - the "celebrity administrator" - became a "slave to silence" while Emmet Malone says the collective credibility of the FAI was damaged.

Best reads

Jennifer O'Connell visits the Labour leave heartlands in Derbyshire and even gets a verbal volley from local MP Dennis Skinner, the so-called "Beast of Bolsover".

Enda Kenny has taken up his first business related role since stepping down as taoiseach. He is an adviser to a private equity group.

In the Independent, Peter Casey confirms he will run for a seat in the European Parliament in Midlands Northwest. In other European Parliament elections news, Fianna Fáil has issued directives to it candidates in Midlands Northwest and Ireland South on constituency splits.

Stephen Collins traces the link between Charles de Gaulle's reluctance to allow the UK enter the European project and Emmanuel Macron's determination that Britain should not wreck the EU as it leaves.

Newton Emerson outlines the shift in the DUP's Brexit positions as they have been increasingly sidelined in Westminster.

Playbook

Dáil

Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe is on ministerial questions.

Leaders’ Questions is at noon, followed by questions on promised legislation.

The Department of Housing has a motion on the register of electors and the Residential Tenancies Bill 2018, while the Department of Public Expenditure has one on the revised estimates.

Statements on Irish Aid will be taken after the weekly voting hour and lunch.

Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell’s Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill is at second stage.

Topical issues and the Finance (Office of Tax Simplification) Bill 2018 and a Private Members’ Bill from Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath, wraps up the week.

Seanad

The Upper House has motions on protocols attached to the Lisbon Treaty, while the Copyright and Other Intellectual Property Law Provisions Bill is at report and final stages.

The Thirty-Fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce ) Bill is at committee stage.

Committees

The Public Accounts Committee looks at the accounts of the Central Statistics Office and the Comptroller and Auditor General, and also has a session on the national children’s hospital with the National Paediatric Development Board.

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy is at the Housing, Planning and Local Government Committee to discuss the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No 2) Bill 2018.

Employment Affairs and Social Protection scrutinises the Pensions (Amendment) (No 2) Bill 2017 with the Irish Association of Pensions Funds.

Education and Skills launches a report on the Home Community Liaison Scheme.

The Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach have Colin Hunt, the chief executive of AIB, in.

The Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement discusses legacy issues with Judith Thompson, the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors.