Ireland has noted a “warmer” tone from the new UK government as Britain and the EU seek a compromise on a controversial post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs told AFP.
A new approach by Britain under Prime Minister Liz Truss is “welcome” given the complex task of implementing the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, which aims to avoid a hard border between the British provinces and the Irish Republic as a result of Brexit, according to Thomas Byrne said in an interview during a visit to France.
“What we’ve seen over the past few weeks is a real effort by Britons to engage with us in every way possible and with more frequent contact,” Byrne said. “We’re definitely on a new plane, it’s warmer, it’s more common, I hope it gets deeper.”
– “We had to be measured” –
Truss’ predecessor, Boris Johnson, angered the Irish government and the rest of the European Union by reversing the protocol and making allegations of breaching the Brexit divorce deal.
Describing Ireland’s relationship with the Johnson government, Byrne said: “Perhaps ‘provocation’ is too strong a word, but there have certainly been times when we have had to be particularly measured in our responses.”
The Johnson government introduced legislation in June to tear up the Northern Ireland Protocol – part of Britain’s exit agreement with the EU – stoking fears of a trade war and a deterioration in ties with Europe.
Dublin called the move “a particular low point in the UK’s approach to Brexit”.
Earlier this month Steve Baker, a UK government minister, told Irish broadcaster RTE that he was “sorry that relations between the UK and Ireland have been affected by the Brexit process”.
– “Commitment, commitment, commitment” –
Byrne said his government made no apologies. “We just want to engage, engage, engage,” he said.
But he added: “We really welcome this change of tone, we acknowledge it, we’re happy with it.”
Recent events, including Queen Elizabeth’s death, have been opportunities to confirm improved relations.
“There was a very warm reaction from the Irish side when the Queen died,” Byrne said.
He added that Irish President Michael D Higgins, based on discussions with the Queen and then King Charles III, has stated “that the Royal Family in Britain is deeply committed to the peace process and we find that very helpful”.
The president “hoped that would penetrate the system,” he said.
Byrne said British help and sympathy pledged this month when an explosion at a petrol station in north-west Ireland killed 10 people.
– ‘Must be observed’ –
The Northern Ireland Protocol has been controversial because it requires commodity controls between the province and the rest of the UK, sparking opposition from union parties in Northern Ireland who say it undermines the integrity of the UK.
“Where we are at the moment is that the Northern Ireland Protocol is in place, it may not be fully operational,” Byrne said.
He acknowledged that “some people who are against it are interested in essentially eliminating it,” but said that wasn’t going to happen.
“Our rationale is that this is an international agreement that must be respected regardless of the context,” he said.
However, “there’s a special context here, it’s Northern Ireland,” he said.
“We need everyone working together, particularly at senior level, the Dublin Government, the London Government and Brussels working together and speaking with one voice,” he said.
The aim is to give Northern Ireland “the best of both worlds, access to the EU and access to the UK market”.
Britain and Ireland both joined the EU’s predecessor, the European Communities (EC), in 1973.
“What we saw during our joint membership period was first of all greater prosperity and less reliance on Britain in trade, but over time warmer relations culminating in the Good Friday Agreement and really close personal connections. ‘ Byrn said.
The Good Friday Agreement ended most of the sectarian violence seen in Northern Ireland since the 1960s.
Border infrastructure had been a focus throughout three decades of conflict, leaving an open border at the heart of the peace accord.
In the interview, Byrne said there was “absolutely extraordinary solidarity” with Ireland “here in France and in all the member states of the EU”.
“They want and need to work with Britain on many issues, particularly Ukraine, but to do so they must honor agreements that Britain has signed,” he said.
