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ANGELA MERKEL HAS not been able to reassure Enda Kenny that Ireland will get any special treatment when the UK leaves the European Union, Cliodhna Russell reports from Berlin.
Speaking after a private meeting with the Taoiseach in Berlin this afternoon, the German Chancellor said:
“It’s difficult to give guarantees at this point of time. We don’t even have the position of the UK, we have to wait for Great Britain to take a stand and give us an idea of the type of relationship they are thinking about.
The Irish voice will be heard as much as every other voice.
However, Merkel said Germany will work with Ireland “in a special friendship” following on from Brexit, adding, “We will approach the post-Brexit challenges on the basis of friendship between the two countries.”
The meeting was held so the pair could discuss the future direction of Europe.
Addressing reporters in Berlin, Kenny outlined Ireland’s commitment to EU membership and referenced specific Irish concerns, such as having a common travel area with the UK – something that has been in place since 1922.
There is €1.2 billion-worth of trade across the Irish sea every week and that means there are 200,000 people in Ireland dependent on their employment on exports to Britain and an equivalent amount in Britain exporting to Ireland.
“Obviously Britain exports most of its goods to countries close by: Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.
“Many of the economic studies pre-the Brexit decision did point out Ireland would be one of the most adversely affected from the Brexit outcome, and that Northern Ireland would actually be the most specifically adversely affected.”
Border from Dundalk to Derry
Kenny also said he doesn’t want to see a European border that runs from Dundalk to Derry but that he can’t say what will happen until Britain lays out its exit plans.
“If you have access to the single market, and free movement of goods and services, then depending on how our negotiations go, you need to be able to monitor and understand the movement of goods from and between a member state of the EU and one that is not a member of the EU.
We don’t want to see a EU border running from Dundalk to Derry, as there would be a lot of complications for goods and people moving from the Republic to Northern Ireland and vice versa.
The meeting with Merkel comes at a time when Kenny faces domestic pressures with backbenchers circling, anxious that if a snap election is called, he will have to continue to lead Fine Gael – a prospect some don’t relish.
When questioned on any possible heave against him, the Taoiseach insisted that his leadership of the party will continue.
“In respect of the government and the party, we are in a position now where the government is in situ, every minister has a brief and a set of commitments to follow through.
What I am interested in is that ministers have time now to bed themselves down and do the departmental work they have to undertake to move the country forward.
The Taoiseach added, “We are a member of the EU and we will continue to be a member of the union and obviously the advantages that flow from that will be part and parcel, that’s why we have made so much progress over the years.”
So the gang of 4 have decided which Irish citizens will be disadvantaged for 2014.
The Irish have let them do what they want
What would you suggest? A giveaway budget?
Kerry. Everyone knows which citizens will be taking the pain yet again! They’re just trying to figure out the best way to force more and more of us out. It’s only a matter of time before they offer to pay us to disappear.
Kerry, only 2014?!
2015/16/17….50 Ect ect
Oreily, a giveaway budget, only in the run up to elections so they can ‘buy’ the votes.
Rodrigo, let’s not make any cuts and just borrow more…
O’Reilly lets start at the top and work down instead of the other way round for a change
How about they cut there own wages pensions exspenes like milage to drive to work dry cleaning hotels and lunch money and a hell of a lot more. I have to drive 40 miles each way to work six days a week all I get is a massive petrol bill
Ryan, if our finances are such that allow it at that time , then why not? But you’ll be rejecting any benefits in that giveaway budget then? You’ll hand it back to revenue saying you don’t want it?
@OReilly
in other words Ryan is correct….
Oreily by benefits I take it you mean the increase in USC, pension levy, property tax, broadcasting tax, and all other tax increases FG have implemented to pay unsecured private banking debt?
O’Reilly 20% of our revenue in 2014 will be going to pay interest on our “bailout” maybe we could suggest to our partners we will only be using 10% to pay off the cost of the banks and use the rest to generate work in Ireland and ensure our ill or needy in our society are not further disadvantaged?
I feel your pain citizens,i feel your pain!
Spot on Sean… True leaders lead from the front…
Thanks Tony
Its called Structural Reform problem is there is not a hope it will happen….they are too many pigs with their noses in the trough
sorry
*there
It will still be a tough budget, Mr Noonon, our finance minister, solemnly declares to the people. God damn, it must be so easy to tighten other people’s belts – especially when you don’t have to tighten your own!
I hope they will be doing a serious review of their own expenses as a cost saving measure.
Don’t suggest that, they’ll just increase them.
I think they will deserve a little break after all this work. Sack the lot of them !!!!
The main topic of debate will be whether to give us a kick in the nuts or a punch in the stomach.
C’mon pay rise!
Looks like they are going to go for the “benefits” for the disabled. The free electricity units and phone line rental are pretty crucial to the survival of anyone trying to live on disability. I had to attempt it years ago after an accident and it was brutal. If they do take these away it is going to drop a lot of peoples lives into misery and further debt. It means that disabled people will have to find €50 a month or more to fund the bankers and that can only do one thing..increase suicide rates. Many disabled people have to deal with physical pain and to inflict more financial pain on them is not the mark of a civilised society. A wipeout of TD’s expenses would be much more humane.
Booooooooo!
I will save the lads some time. Here is what you should do lads:
Increase taxes on ordinary citizens
Save money by reducing services to vulnerable people
Look after banks/wealthy/yourselves/your mates
Sorted!
Budget adjustment of €2.5bn? Same cost as mental health difficulties to the economy annually, which we pointed out two years ago! http://t.co/xbNNtS9G3J Mental Health Reform has made a number of cost-effective and proven effective recommendations to all relevant Govt departments – http://t.co/lJnSXi0wv6 …
have your say