EU BACKS UNITED IRELAND PLAN

Posted by Jim on April 29, 2017

An official statement by the European Union that it will accept a future
united Ireland into the EU has been cautiously welcomed by republicans
as bringing international diplomatic recognition for impending Irish
unification.

A special EU summit on Brexit is taking place this weekend in which the
European Council will agree guidelines for Brexit negotiations. The
first draft of these guidelines was strongly criticised for its
inclusion of a tract of ambiguous and aspirational language in regard to
Ireland, without referring to specific protections or a special status
for the north of Ireland, while Spain was handed a simple veto over any
development in relation to the British colony of Gibraltar.

However, there were international headlines for reports this week to
confirm that European leaders have no objection to a future Irish
reunification bringing the Six Counties back into the EU. In the event
of reunification, the North will be treated the same manner in which
East Germany became part of the EU in 1990 when it united with West
Germany.

The British government has also said it has no objection to the idea,
which has never actually proven controversial. However, it is being
lauded as a signature diplomatic achievement of the 26 Taoiseach Enda
Kenny as he prepares to step down from his post next month, and the
statement is being referred to in the Irish media as the ‘Kenny text’.

The statement may also lead the way for a similar EU stance on Scotland,
a more controversial proposition as it would boost other independence
movements across Europe, such as Catalonia and the Basque Country.

Strikingly absent from these early reports, however, is any indication
of progress in clearing the way for special status for the Six Counties,
a move seen as key to preventing militarised and embattled border
checkpoints from returning to the Irish countryside.

Special status would give the North access to the single market and
customs union, with freedom of movement of goods, people and services.
But so far, Dublin officials have only confirmed the draft conclusions
will make reference to the “specific needs” Ireland faces in the
aftermath of Brexit.

Dublin’s Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe
promised references will be made to the movement of people, the Border,
the peace process and the 1998 Good Friday peace Agreement. There is
also an effort underway to ensure continued EU funding for various
schemes and projects which have helped to sustain the Six County economy
in recent decades.

However, the 26 County administration has refused to release the details
of its negotiating priorities. Instead, media briefings have sought to
generate a general sense of diplomatic achievement for Enda Kenny as as
a ‘soft landing’ for the departing Taoiseach.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams warned the 26 County government was engaged
in a spin campaign rather than a proper effort to negotiate the terms of
Britain’s departure from the EU.

Mr Adams welcomed what he said appeared to be the government’s attempts
to achieve amendments to the EU guidelines, although he warned “it might
be too little, too late”.

“The Taoiseach has failed to set out the Government priorities in a
consolidated paper, as he promised in March. He has also failed to
publish what amendments, if any, he will seek to the negotiations
guidelines.

“Instead, there has been a deluge of spin about what the government is
doing. What it should be doing is seeking a political declaration from
the European Council in its negotiation guidelines in relation to
securing designated special status for the North within the EU.”

He added: “After Britain leaves the Union, we believe that no agreement
between the EU and the British government should apply to the north of
Ireland without agreement of both governments as co-guarantors of the
Good Friday Agreement – an international treaty.”

Despite efforts by Fine Gael to promote Kenny’s ‘legacy’ as he prepares
to step down as Taoiseach, Mr Adams said the Taoiseach’s input to the
negotiations had fallen “far short of what is both required and
expected”.

“The Taoiseach has a seat at the table. He will be in the room when
decisions are taken. He has a responsibility to argue strongly for
designated special status for the North within in the European Union.”