Politics

Government must remain ‘calm and consistent’ despite UK parliament’s suspension – McEntee

Minister calls on Boris Johnson to put forward alternative to backstop

Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee: ’The Border is not just about trade’. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Vivienne Clarke
Thu Aug 29 2019 - 14:15

Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee has said it is important to remain calm following British prime minister Boris Johnson’s plan to suspend parliament.

In his boldest step since becoming prime minister last month, Mr Johnson enraged opponents of a no-deal Brexit on Wednesday by ordering the suspension for almost a month.

"It is important for us to remain consistent, we have been flexible we have adapted as much as we can through the negotiations, there has always been give and take, we cannot give any more," Ms McEntee told RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland.

The Minister acknowledged that with nine weeks to go to the Brexit deadline “it is looking more likely” that there will be a no-deal Brexit.

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She called on Mr Johnson to put forward alternative solutions to the backstop. The backstop is a mechanism in the withdrawal agreement that would guarantee that the Border between Northern Ireland and the Republic remains open after Brexit.

As it stands it is the only solution to address issues such as protecting the Belfast Agreement and the all-island economy, she said.

“We are asking them to put forward proposals that could replace the backstop so it would never need to be used.

“We have heard of possible options, but none is acceptable. What we have is a policy that was decided by the UK, not by Ireland and not by the EU.”

The Border is not just about trade, the Minister said.

“We are being asked to remove the backstop and to replace it with nothing. We have to remain consistent. The backstop as it currently stands was negotiated by the UK.”

In the meantime it was important for anyone trading with the UK “to engage with the process,” said Ms McEntee. “The information and financial support is there.”

As for the Government’s plans in the event of a hard Brexit, the Minister said “as soon as we know we will let people know. Some things you just can’t predict. We need to be as clear as we can, we are giving as much information as we can.”

When asked about a social media comment by Minister of State at the Department of Finance Michael D'Arcy comparing Boris Johnson to Oliver Cromwell, Ms McEntee said that it reflected the frustration being felt by many, but that the Government needed to remain consistent and calm.

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