Doctors Without Borders @MSF has described a catastrophic situation at the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, with Israeli defence forces now less than one kilometre away, according to the latest reports.
2/ MSF says between 40,000 to 60,000 civilians are sheltering at the hospital, while doctors treating hundreds of injured patients - mostly children - are facing a horrific shortage of basic medical needs, with fuel running out.
Oct 27, 2023 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar has said he understood the arguments about a super majority being needed in the event of a referenum on a united Ireland, and said “50pc plus 1” would not be a desirable outcome.
2/ He said: “We would much rather see a convincing majority for unification, if and when a border poll comes.”
However, he said it would be difficult to sustain that situation if a persistent numerical majority rejected the current status quo.
Oct 23, 2023 • 15 tweets • 2 min read
NEW: EU Commission president @vonderleyen has written to staff saying she was “ready to engage, and to listen to your concerns” on the Middle East following a letter signed by over 800 Commission officials last week protesting against her allegedly unequivocal support for Israel.
2/ In a letter circulated internally, seen by @rtenews, Ms von der Leyen said the events unfolding in the Middle East were “a deep source of sorrow and concern for all of us.”
Jun 1, 2023 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
NEW: Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar has asked British prime minister @RishiSunak to keep the Irish government informed of any new package of measures for Northern Ireland which are designed to reassure the DUP about the North’s place in the United Kingdom.
2/ Speaking following a bilateral meeting with Mr Sunak at a summit of European leaders in Moldova, Mr Varadkar said: “What is publicly known at this stage is that the DUP is seeking some assurances from the British government about their place in the UK.
Jun 1, 2023 • 16 tweets • 3 min read
NEW: The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Ireland will give “deep consideration” to joining an EU PESCO mission on protecting undersea data cables in light of suspicions that Russian vessels have been mapping cables off the Irish atlantic coast.
2/ Arriving at the European Political Community summit in Moldova, Mr Varakdar said: “We will certainly consider that. We will give it deep consideration, because we are an island nation, our seas are seven times greater than our land area
Mar 28, 2023 • 15 tweets • 3 min read
NEW: The EU has said that new light touch arrangements for the movement of retail food consignments from GB to Northern Ireland will not be fully implemented until SPS inspection facilities at Northern Ireland ports have been completed and audited.
2/ @VanGoethemB, a senior European Commission veterinary official, told the European Parliament that officials from the EU veterinary office in Grange, Co Meath will carry out an audit of the facilities before the new system under the Windsor Framework becomes fully operational.
Mar 24, 2023 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
NEW: It’s understood Tanaiste @MichealMartinTD will bring forward proposals in a number of weeks on a consultative forum to address Ireland’s broader foreign and defence policy, including neutrality.
2/ The forum is expected to be chaired by an expert or academic and will bring in international figures to contribute to an overall consultation on Ireland’s policy, given the war in Ukraine.
Mr Varadkar said: “The Tanaiste is developing proposals on that and at the right time, and at a time of his choosing, I think he’ll tell you more about it.
2/ “But he has developed proposals as to how we could consult with stakeholders and the public in a meaningful way on how our defence and security policies should evolve.”
Mar 23, 2023 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar has expressed disappointment that the DUP has chosen not to return to Stormont following yesterday’s House of Commons vote on the Windsor Framework and the so-called Stormont Brake.
2/ He told reporters in Brussels: “I’m disappointed to hear that the DUP isn't willing to go back into the executive and assembly. I think they should. People in Northern Ireland are facing big problems, inflation, a housing crisis, health service that's under enormous pressure..
Mar 22, 2023 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
NEW: Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair, the former UK prime minister, have both pulled out of an event in the European Parliament next week marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
2/ It’s understood that Mr Ahern is attending an event in Boston which clashed with the European Parliament event, and that since he was not going to be present Mr Blair has also pulled out.
Mar 21, 2023 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
NI Sec of State @chhcalling tells @CommonsEU chair Bill Cash that the Windsor Framework "gives the people of Northern Ireland a veto over new" [EU] single market laws that apply there, that it is "radical" and "legally binding", and goes further than the 2021 UK Command Paper
2/ Heaton-Harris echoes @RishiSunak that the Windsor Framework is not perfect, but says "this is a massive, massive improvement in how things will operate for Northern Ireland." It disapplies "hundreds of pages of EU laws" in NI, but it does maintain "just under 3pc of EU law"
Mar 21, 2023 • 7 tweets • 1 min read
NEW: EU member states have this morning given their approval to key changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol provided for by the Windsor Framework.
2/ The move will give the European Commission a mandate to bring forward the changes through the EU-UK Joint Committee, which implements the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
The Joint Committee will meet in London on Friday.
Mar 21, 2023 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
Picking up on David's thread about the UK statutory instrument and the belief it creates by stealth a second Stormont Brake or a de facto unionist veto on new or updated EU rules. Other wise heads have weighed in on this and you can read @Jess_Sargeant@AntonSpisak threads on it
The European Scrutiny Committee @CommonsEU has espressed disappointment that @RishiSunak declined its offer to appear before the cttee to take questions on the Windsor Framework and has urged the UK govt not to agree to an EU-UK Joint Committee before the end of March
2/ A Joint Committee mtg is expected so that both sides can endorse significant parts of the Windsor Framework. The European Scrutiny Cttee says there should be proper scrutiny and a Commons vote before the JC meets
Mar 6, 2023 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
The EU could formally adopt aspects of the Windsor Framework by March 21, @rtenews understands, with member states also agreeing to change EU law to facilitate elements of the deal by April 19.
2/ The agreement in principle between the EU and UK on changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol was reached last Monday and it requires both sides to make legislative changes in order for the deal to take effect.
“The Telegraph understands that Mr Baker has not been involved in – or briefed on – discussions, despite being appointed a minister of state at the Northern Ireland Office.”
2/ “Steve is the ultimate man of principle,” said one friend. “If it’s not good enough, I would be surprised if he just accepted it.” Another said: “I don’t see why he would stay in a Government that doesn’t deliver on Brexit – that’s the same as anyone in Government.”
Feb 23, 2023 • 6 tweets • 1 min read
NEW: 76% of Irish people are satisfied with the EU response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 2nd highest in the EU after Portugal at 79%. On average, 56% of EU respondents are satisfied with the EU's response with people in Greece (37%) and Slovakia (39%) least satisfied
2/ Acc to the latest Eurobarameter 86% of Irish people agree with sanctions on the Russian govt, companies and individuals, 6th highest in the EU. Swedes (95%) were the most likely to approve while those in Bulgaria (47%) and Slovakia (49%) were the least. The EU average was 74%
Feb 22, 2023 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
NI Protocol update: I understand the deal was basically done last weekend, all the technical stuff included (give or take a few loose ends with text).
2/ Then it was up to @RishiSunak to sell the deal. But as detail registered then there was the negative reaction from DUP and more particularly the ERG. Cue intense talks between @MarosSefcovic and @JamesCleverly to try to finesse things
President of the Commission von der Leyen and Prime Minister Sunak updated one another on their discussions with President Zelensky last week.
2/ They agreed on the importance of giving Ukraine the military momentum they need to secure victory against tyranny.
The leaders welcomed the powerful alignment in EU and UK support for Ukraine over the past year, as exemplified both by our record of military and economic aid…
Feb 17, 2023 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator @MarosSefcovic has told member states that there was no deal yet on the Northern Ireland Protocol, but that things could move “quickly” in the coming days.
2/ Mr Sefcovic briefed 27 EU ambassadors in Brussels this afternoon following his lunch with the British foreign secretary James Cleverly.
Feb 9, 2023 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar told reporters at the EU summit that Ireland should be “fair, firm and hard” when it comes to asylum seekers, suggesting there should be a swift assessment of those who allegedly arrive in Ireland under false pretenses.
2/ He said:"We need to be fair with refugees, because refugees are welcome in Ireland and people that need our protection should get it.
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