Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Home Secretary Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, London today, after the final Cabinet meeting with David Cameron as Prime Minister. Dominic Lipinski/PA

What will Theresa May as British Prime Minister mean for Ireland?

David Cameron’s successor previously predicted post-Brexit border controls across Ireland, affecting the common travel area

AS THE LONGEST-SERVING British home secretary for over a century, Theresa May is well versed with security issues, including the Irish peace process.

Over the past six years, May has weathered riots, sat in on a decision to go to war and, like Cameron, (quietly) campaigned to Remain in the EU.

She now insists that Brexit ‘means Brexit’.

Described as a “bloody difficult woman” by Tory grandee Ken Clarke, May has promised that the next man to find out how “bloody difficult” she could be will be Jean-Claude Juncker.

As president of the EU Commission, Juncker will be tasked with negotiating the terms of trade and immigration with the new prime minister, often described as Britain’s Merkel.

Belgium Britain EU British prime minister David Cameron and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Just how bloody difficult these negotiations prove will have a huge bearing on Irish people’s freedom of movement, the peace process, and trade in general.

Common Travel Area

Prior to Britain’s momentous decision to leave the EU, May predicted border controls across the island of Ireland if the referendum carried.

She said it was “inconceivable” that the invisible border would not be affected.

While she acknowledged that the British-Irish Common Travel Area pre-dated the EU, she insisted that Brexit would lead to tariffs and some form of controls between the Republic and the North.

Immigration has been identified as one of the main drivers of the Leave vote, particularly among working-class strongholds in the north of England.

Conservative leadership bid Theresa May with her husband Philip John outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, yesterday. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The big question for Irish people is whether she will end the right for EU citizens – including Irish citizens – to work in the UK.

On Sunday 3 July, May stressed the importance of ‘controlling’ free movement of people:

It’s important we get the right deal about controlling free movement, but it’s also about ensuring that we get the best deal possible on the trade of goods and services.

That could mean the end of the soft border between the 26 and six counties, and a return of checkpoints between, say Derry and Letterkenny, and Newry and Dundalk.

Yet so far European leaders have baulked at allowing the UK to cherry-pick three of the EU’s four freedoms (also comprising free movement of goods, capital and of services respectively).

Although tougher on immigration than former Tory rival Boris Johnson (who played down the issue), May’s time at the Home Office has still seen annual net immigration to the UK rise to 330,000 (184,000 of whom came from other EU countries like Ireland).

Moreover, with Britain’s economy seriously affected by Brexit, she could end up softening her stance on immigration in return for EU free trade concessions.

Enda Kenny visit to Downing Street David Cameron and Enda Kenny in 10 Downing Street earlier this year. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Trade

Although the value of Irish exports to Britain now lags behind those to Belgium, overall trade with the UK (including the North) remains second only to Ireland’s trade links with the United States.

It’s possible that, in return for May’s wish to limit immigration, the EU will impose tariffs on the UK’s trade with the remaining member states.

In any case, Britain is preparing for a fresh recession due to the economic uncertainty triggered by Brexit, which is bound to hit Ireland hard.

The peace process

May had previously said that the UK should withdraw from the European Convention of Human Rights, which underpins much of the Good Friday Agreement.

Yet she backed away from that position when asked directly at the launch of her Tory leadership bid last week.

Sinn Fein has expressed grave concern over May’s appointment, and the repercussions for the peace process.

Leader Gerry Adams said Cameron had been “remiss in fulfilling his obligations under the Good Friday Agreement, under the Stormont House Agreement, and under the Fresh Start agreement”.

He said May’s appointment will present difficulties for the peace process and Anglo-Irish relations.

“Unfortunately, that focus has not been there as much as it needs to be.

So, the upcoming period is going to be particularly difficult and particularly challenging.

Adams also reiterated his call for a border poll, and warned that any attempt to tamper with the ECHR would be “bad”.

Prime Minister's Questions David Cameron during prime minister's questions in the House of Commons, flanked by Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers (left) and his successor Theresa May. PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

This week Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers paid tribute to May’s engagement with the Stormont executive.

Theresa May has a positive history of working with the Northern Ireland administration across a range of Justice issues, including the NCA [National Crime Agency] becoming fully operational in Northern Ireland.

Yet the peace process has been partly assisted by EU and Westminster funding, while the soft border with the Republic has made living in the UK more palatable for many Northern nationalists.

Berlin meets

As much as Ireland has a unique relationship with the UK, the government is also trying to ensure its ‘special friendship’ with the continental powers remains.

In a one-on-one meeting with Angela Merkel in Berlin this afternoon, Enda Kenny set forward his reasons for why Ireland will be adversely affected by Brexit – and thus should get some special treatment.

The German Chancellor didn’t bite, telling the Taoiseach that Ireland’s voice will be one of many heard when Article 50 is invoked.

There are positives for Ireland, though.

Unlike Michael Gove, at least May hasn’t compared the Good Friday agreement to appeasement.

And unlike rivals like Andrea Leadsom, May plans on triggering Article 50 some time in 2017, in order to prepare Britain’s negotiating position.

Whether Ireland can use that time usefully depends as much on the political situation in Dublin as it does in London.

Read: Theresa May will become Prime Minister of the UK on Wednesday evening

Brexit: Recruiters and estate agents seeing spike in relocation queries to Ireland

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
47 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:15 AM

    If they’re willing to use violence before they get to port, what’ll they be up to when they get settled. Send them straight back.

    793
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Jones
    Favourite Lisa Jones
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:19 AM

    @Patrick Agnew: to be raped?

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Ó Fallúin
    Favourite Ciarán Ó Fallúin
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:20 AM

    @Patrick Agnew: Whatever happens, don’t consider why someone might risk highjack a ship to avoid being sent back to where they had fled from… That sort of humane thinking hasn’t been a feature on thejournal.ie comment section since red thumbs were removed and toxic hate took over this site.

    58
    See 23 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan
    Favourite Dan
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:21 AM

    @Lisa Jones: what!

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:23 AM

    @Ciarán Ó Fallúin: believe it or not, not everyone has the same opinion as you. So I’ll continue to write comments whether you like them or not. Also, returning someone with a history of using violence to their country of origin is a valid point of discussion and is certainly not toxic.

    238
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:25 AM

    @Lisa Jones: ?????

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam O’Conchubhair
    Favourite Liam O’Conchubhair
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:27 AM

    @Lisa Jones: Lisa, you seem to be ignoring the fact that they hijacked a ship.

    187
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul F. White
    Favourite Paul F. White
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:27 AM

    @Lisa Jones: huh??

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jen McCartney
    Favourite Jen McCartney
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:54 AM

    @Patrick Agnew: I can’t even imagine how desperate you’d have to be to hijack a ship, luckily I’m privileged enough that I’ll probably never know. I doubt many will agree with me but I genuinely just see this as a cry for help.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Murphy
    Favourite Sean Murphy
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:57 AM

    @Lisa Jones: are you saying that they are likely to be raped in Africa? That sounds kinda racist!

    148
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damian Kelly
    Favourite Damian Kelly
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:08 PM

    @Lisa Jones: says who ?

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bruce van der Gutschmitzer
    Favourite Bruce van der Gutschmitzer
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:15 PM

    @Patrick Agnew: there was no violence mentioned nevernind anything about the history/background of the migrants. It won’t do their cases any good and I’d certainly have reservations on them but I can understand how a situation like this arises when they are fleeing desperate conditions. If I was being persecuted for my religion etc or simply am dirt poor with no employment prospects, I wouldn’t want to be brought back to a lawless country to be persecuted some more.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Orla Smith
    Favourite Orla Smith
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:17 PM

    @Damian Kelly: The United Nations, it’s in the article above, should have gone to Specsavers.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:23 PM

    @Jen McCartney: I see where you’re coming from Jen but it’s only going to inspire copycat hijackings and discourage other ships from picking up migrants.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:25 PM

    @Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: they must have used violence or threatened it to seize control of the ship. There was also no mention of their country of origin. So it’s not correct to assume they’re fleeing from a war torn country.

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Orla Smith
    Favourite Orla Smith
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:26 PM

    @Patrick Agnew: Don’t worry about it Patrick, stay hiding under your bed and the bad men won’t find you in your safe space.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:31 PM

    @Orla Smith: can I have a few of those pills Orla?

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Lodewyks
    Favourite Martin Lodewyks
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 1:03 PM

    @Sean Murphy: Maybe do some research on that. 40% of women will be raped based on current stats. Is it racist if it’s true? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_violence_in_South_Africa

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bruce van der Gutschmitzer
    Favourite Bruce van der Gutschmitzer
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 1:18 PM

    @Patrick Agnew: As it isn’t right to assume that all of the migrants on the ship used violence or have a history of violence as you assumed. I would assume that they used intimidation as a means of taking control of the ship. If they used violence it would have been mentioned. If you read what I said in full then You’d see that I also said that they are fleeing from poverty too so there’s your balance. As well as the persecution they face in lawless Libya.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean O'Rourke
    Favourite Sean O'Rourke
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 2:20 PM

    @Lisa Jones: Their country is what they made it.Do you suggest letting all of them in?

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Josh Hanners
    Favourite Josh Hanners
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 4:22 PM

    @Lisa Jones: Have you taken your tablets, Lisa?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam O’Conchubhair
    Favourite Liam O’Conchubhair
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 5:46 PM

    @Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: how else would they have hijacked the ship? I’d say it’s fairly certain that they used violence.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Moylan
    Favourite John Moylan
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 7:49 PM

    @Lisa Jones: they didn’t commandeer a ship without menaces, so frankly they’re no better. Straight back.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Moylan
    Favourite John Moylan
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 7:50 PM

    @Ciarán Ó Fallúin: just because you have a different opinion doesn’t make others’ one hateful : grow up.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Candace
    Favourite Candace
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 9:49 PM

    @Martin Lodewyks:

    Similar stats to Sweden by the looks of it.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzanne Dorgan
    Favourite Suzanne Dorgan
    Report
    Mar 30th 2019, 8:47 PM

    @Martin Lodewyks: I read that. Despicable.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Murphy
    Favourite Sean Murphy
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:36 AM

    This has to be fake news, I don’t believe it. I was told by Sinn Fein and Pb4P that all asylum seekers were cuddly teddy bears and future doctors and engineers. The Journal.ie are peddling far right conspiracy theories!

    352
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex Nevin
    Favourite Alex Nevin
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:27 PM

    Not Europe’s problem. Deport

    236
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Durkin
    Favourite Derek Durkin
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:35 AM

    * Italys far right interior minister * so says associated press.

    124
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Murphy
    Favourite Sean Murphy
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:40 AM

    @Derek Durkin: ‘Economic migrants who illegally paid smugglers to bring them to Europe who then hijacked by force a boat that saved them from drowning can not come to our country.’ Wow easy up there Adolf, that’s far right.

    166
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Durkin
    Favourite Derek Durkin
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:44 AM

    @Derek Durkin: Associated Press and Reuters, which are the go to for copy and paste journalism for all the press around the world, were purchased by banking dynasties in the late 18th and 19th century, as reported by independent media at the time.

    43
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Orla Smith
    Favourite Orla Smith
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:42 PM
    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Durkin
    Favourite Derek Durkin
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 1:06 PM

    @Orla Smith: breitbart ain’t no different from the rest…..all playing divisive identity politics.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Greg Ward
    Favourite Greg Ward
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 10:59 AM

    Get Tom Hanks. He’ll sort this out

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Chair
    Favourite Charles Chair
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 1:51 PM

    (((Cultural diversity)))

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carnac
    Favourite Carnac
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 2:01 PM

    They’re still calling them migrants!

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam McLiam
    Favourite Liam McLiam
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:54 PM

    “I am the captain now”

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Papa Benzo
    Favourite Papa Benzo
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 10:49 AM

    Sometimes I think you have to admire the resourcefulness of some people

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Doubtchya Boy!
    Favourite Doubtchya Boy!
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:10 AM

    @Papa Benzo: i agree. The Captain was going beyond his call of duty buy rescuing these migrants and bringing them back to the nearest port. Clearly the migrants used force and made them change course. This type of behaviour won’t do any favours for future economic migrants who expect to be picked up by privately owned ships passing by.

    277
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Hughes
    Favourite Brendan Hughes
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:58 AM

    @Doubtchya Boy!: The captain did not go beyond the call of duty, marine law makes rescue of stricken vessels obligatory. If he had refused aid and they drowned he would be prosecuted.

    28
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sega Yolo
    Favourite Sega Yolo
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:01 PM

    @Papa Benzo: this particular group should be dragged back to Tripoli , letting them succeed sets a very dangerous precedent. If it becomes an MO, Eventually all distress calls out there would be ignored, for crew safety. That’s not good for anyone, especially future migrants.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sega Yolo
    Favourite Sega Yolo
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 12:04 PM

    @Brendan Hughes: the obligation only applies where there is no risk to your own crew. You won’t find a cargo vessel captain getting charged for ignoring a distress call in Somali waters, for obvious reasons.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Moylan
    Favourite John Moylan
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 7:52 PM

    @Brendan Hughes: not after today they won’t. They can rightly claim the defence of not putting his crew and ship in peril.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve B
    Favourite Steve B
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 3:51 PM

    So, to thwart the hijackers who wanted to be taken to Malta, the ship was stormed by special forces and – brought to Malta?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pixie McMullen
    Favourite Pixie McMullen
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 2:32 PM

    The US, UK and France – take a bow, look at the basket case you have made of Libya, rape, warlords fighting for control of the resources and open slave markets.
    Those 3 countries should be made take EVERY refugee fleeing from it

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bruce van der Gutschmitzer
    Favourite Bruce van der Gutschmitzer
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 3:17 PM

    @Pixie McMullen: Nothing America is better at than going to a country far away, taking a dump, stealing their sh_it and f_cking off again. They should’ve taken the 3 million Syrians not Germany.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Genovani
    Favourite Jason Genovani
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 8:39 PM

    And yet they’ll STILL be allowed – UNREAL

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Cunningham
    Favourite Peter Cunningham
    Report
    Mar 29th 2019, 8:37 AM

    “The European Union announced yesterday that it will suspend ship patrols that have rescued ten of thousands of migrants in the Mediterranean and brought them back to Italy” Finally the EU, mainly Germany, Sweden and Italy have realised that allowing a never ending flow of economic migrants from Africa into Europe will have a devastating effect in diluting European Culture, never mind the violence that comes with them too!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute LD
    Favourite LD
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 5:23 PM

    Don’t you just love all the pontificators on here. Thinking they have the vaguest idea what it’s like to be desperate enough for help that they are willing to hijack a vessel. Nobody is actually justifying the behaviour. But all behaviour has meaning, maybe try advancing your understanding of the human condition and the fact that in desperate situations people make desperate choices.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Moylan
    Favourite John Moylan
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 7:54 PM

    @LD: sounds like you’re quite the pontificate yourself. Hypocrisy much ?

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Genovani
    Favourite Jason Genovani
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 8:40 PM

    @LD: You’re an absolute knob

    16
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute LD
    Favourite LD
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 8:54 PM

    @John Moylan: I wouldn’t personally describe calling for an expression of humanity to be pontificating but everyone to their own.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neil Lawless
    Favourite Neil Lawless
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:10 AM
    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neil Lawless
    Favourite Neil Lawless
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:26 AM

    The Journal’s URL for this story is apt from the migrants point of view.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neil Lawless
    Favourite Neil Lawless
    Report
    Mar 28th 2019, 11:22 AM

    The Journal’s URL for this story is apt.
    thejournal.ie/malta-shit-valetta-4564726-Mar2019/

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds