irishtimes.com/news/politics/…
The Government reacted with public disappointment and private anger to the British announcements yesterday that it would legislate to set aside parts of the Northern Ireland protocol and proceed with a plan that could block prosecutions for some murders during the Troubles.
Feb 12, 2022 • 16 tweets • 2 min read
The shape of post-Covid politics became clearer this week. It is catty and confused; a scrambled and unpredictable maelstrom of competing private and public interests, and of long and short-term priorities.
Discerning what is good government and what is responsible opposition is going to be anything but straightforward.
Here's my analysis of the challenges facing the political system in the wake of the Defence Forces report- irishtimes.com/news/politics/…
Additional funding is really the second step in fixing the problem: the first is for us to decide what we want the Defence Forces to do. That will require a clear and honest political debate, not something for which our political system displays much appetite or capacity
Nov 28, 2020 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
Exiting the lockdown and allowing the social and economic life of the country to reopen is a gamble for the Government, but one it has to take.
Yes, the numbers of infections will begin to rise again in the coming weeks as a result of the increased social interactions allowed by the easing of restrictions.
Oct 17, 2019 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
So, taking stock:
Boris has managed to renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement. The backstop is gone. NI can get out of new arrangements.
But he has signed up to something that he said he would never. NI will be treated significantly differently from GB. And there will be a customs and regulatory border in the Irish Sea.
Oct 10, 2019 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
Today’s meeting was clearly v significant. Irish have always said backstop must stay until alternative that achieved same objectives. If such an alternative has been tabled by UK, then that unlocks path to agreement
Dublin was v gloomy about prospects yesterday. So any new proposals have been landed suddenly.
Oct 8, 2019 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Meanwhile, on the day's other story I am told from very senior sources that Leo Varadkar did not promise any move on backstop in return for Boris move on regulatory differences between NI and GB
Also other elements of Downing St briefing to @JGForsyth in @spectator very hotly disputed by senior sources
Oct 2, 2019 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
Following conversations with sources, seems to me that key for Dubln and Bxl is not to be seen to reject Boris proposals out of hand. Nobody believes they are basis for a new deal this month. But EC will engage with London on ideas and London-Dublin contacts will continue.
Asked EC source: Will there be negotiations? "We will ask them questions about it, yes."
Sep 26, 2019 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
Boris and his ministers say they are within reach of a deal. But what do they think in Brussels and Dublin? irishtimes.com/news/world/eur… Not so optimistic, to put it mildly
–The EU side has severe doubts about the British government’s desire and ability to 1) reach a deal, and 2) pass a deal through parliament.
