Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
AS UK PRIME Minister Theresa May has just five days to try to rally support for her Brexit deal, a Tory MP has suggested using the possibility of food shortages in Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit to encourage the EU to drop the backstop.
A government report, leaked to the Times of London, has indicated that there could be food shortages in Ireland in a no-deal Brexit scenario, and the economic impact on Ireland would be worse than in the UK.
This is based on the large number of food exports from the UK to Ireland (more than half of the total food imported to Ireland comes from the UK). In the event of a no-deal, trade rules would revert to those used by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), but the UK would have to apply to become a member of the WTO to implement them.
At a Brexit event for local authorities held in Dublin this week, economist Dan O’Brien echoed those sentiments, adding that the threat of food shortages and supplies in a no-deal scenario shouldn’t be underestimated.
According to today’s article, the UK government report has indicated that there would be a 7% drop in GDP for Ireland, while the equivalent for the UK would be a drop of 5%.
Tory MP Priti Patel has told the paper that these warnings should have been used as leverage against Ireland to encourage them to drop the backstop.
“This paper appears to show the government were well aware Ireland will face significant issues in a no-deal scenario. Why hasn’t this point been pressed home during negotiations? There is still time to go back to Brussels and get a better deal.”
Patel resigned as International Development Secretary last November after holding 12 meetings with Israeli groups and officials outside the proper protocol.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacted to the story, saying that “The sheer moral bankruptcy of the Tory Brexiteers is on full display today.”
Ex-Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop, who is of Irish heritage, also reacted to the story, saying:
“…It amazes me that these expensively educated Brexiteers have literally learned nowt about the history of these very isles”.
The backstop, a guarantee that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland, is seen as being unnecessary and restrictive by Brexiteers, as it could lock the UK into a customs arrangement that would stop them striking new trade deals with other countries.
This would mean Northern Ireland would stay “aligned” to the regulations of the customs union if there is no other solution that would avoid infrastructure along the Irish border.
If there are different regulations or tariffs between the two jurisdictions, which would have to occur if the UK want to become more competitive than they are currently in the EU, then that would suggest products need to be checked as they go across the border.
Prominent British politicians, including the former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees Mogg, have indicated that they would scrap the backstop if it were up to them (important to note if there is a Tory party leadership challenge).
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds also indicated that the provision to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland should be scrapped, chanting “bin the backstop” to applause at his party’s conference.
Meanwhile, as May’s deal looks set to be rejected by the House of Commons in next week, there are reports in the UK media that she is looking at the possibility of a second referendum if the deal does fail.
The days of getting any value for your money has been eaten up by greed in Ireland
Switching energy or broadband supplier is a nightmare. Deliberately confusing tariffs that make it very difficult to compare. Not to mention the time you need to invest. Suppliers should be mandated to provide clear transparent information and to use Plain English. This is what the CCPC should be doing….protecting the consumer, but I have not been impressed by any dealings with them to date.
@Noel_Random: I find Bonkers very easy to use when switching energy supplier every year. Compares what you are currently on vs whats on market now.
@Noel_Random: Switching broadband is the easiest thing ever. Pricing is extremely clear.
Energy is not too difficult either. Just look at unit rate but don’t forget about standing charge.
@Noel_Random: u know what they do,I personally do not know of anyone that reads the terms and conditions,u click yes,or on the phone u agree,if you’re on contract for 12 months,and after 5 r 6 months the bill goes up,I got caught with pinergy,and was told in the terms and conditions that it could happen,I said I want to cancel my contract,it’s 12 euro a month of what’s left to get out of it,the whole system is rigged to the ordinary person..
Nonsense
That’s funny because last I heard there was over 2 million Irish revolut customers so that’s quite a few people shopping around however a lot of institutions in Ireland are breaking European law by not recognizing ibans from other European countries, maybe if the Irish Central Bank enforced the rules even more people would shop around.
@Sean Whelan: who are the institutions breaking EU law that’s quite the accusation / are you sure you are not getting confused with the need to have an Irish banking licence in the market you wish ti compete / the market is regulated I am pretty sure they are not “breaking eu laws “ without being called out
@Dave Hammond: https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2022/07/26/revolut-iban-discrimination-means-i-cannot-get-paid/
They’re not the only ones doing this Dave.
@Sean Whelan: that was in 2022 when Revolut we’re waiting for approval of their Irish IBAN ( which they subsequently got and notified me to change minths ago / ti be clear I don’t think they were breaking EU LAWS as claimed
Try switching health insurance and be blinded by choice. Still no move on deposit interest rates! Not much choice there!
If €1 is equivalent to 60cent on my fuel bills with the extortionate price gouging by sseairtricity who only use renewables and no gas. Then the CCPC comments are worthless to me. There is the problem they are not protecting me or my hard earned Euros. Are they aware that’s in their remit. Ah maybe not because the government gave then toothless laws.
Imagine being caught up in a vulture funded mortgage where their interest rates are like bingo ball calling at any time for no reason. That the present Fine Gael encouraged to Ireland. But fair play the central bank governor told the government they do not want any laws to regulate this extortion.
Hear the question? Are we to just live in an economy where everyone euro is really valued at 60cent due to extortion or can the Europeans add an extra 40C onto our Irish Euro so we can live like every other European country.?
“Shopping around ” has been bandied around for years as the only consumer protection we have
God Forbid a regulator side with ordinary people for once
Having been through the pain of switching a business account from ulster bank it is a non trivial task. Shockingly we were only contacted by 1 institution looking for our new account details due to our ulster bank IBAN on file with them for payments. Trying to get the likes of eir or our energy provider to update to our new account details was a months long battle. Heck panda never updated our details and only for them leaving the energy market I don’t know what would have happened.
No surprise here. Some Irish have never given up their old ways and cling to them just as they cling to parish pump politics. Aldi and Lidl who have been in Ireland for decades were first shunned because of misplaced pride and a what will the neighbour’s think mentality. Thankful this attitude has changed. Unfortunately,Ireland is still not a nation of comparison shoppers who keep their eye on the ball of getting the most value for their money.
@Don Hogan: to be fair there was a bit more to Aldi and Lidl than pride / their original offering in the Irish market was very limited compared to the choice of offerings from Dunnes Tesco and SuperValu not least in Irish meats and Irish brands that everyone loved / it took them a few years to expand the range to include Irish tastes and trends and then more people continued to actually swap over / there was a bit of brand snobbery for sure but they have both done an amazing job and growing their appeal to Irish shoppers since they launched imo
@Dave Hammond: being shopping in Aldi for years now, can see the prices rising there too. Used to spend 40 odd a week for the two of us, now it’s 50 and 60 euros.
If these companies that do these Poll,makes my effing blood boil,why won’t they tell us,where to go if it’s that easy,there are 5 different big supermarkets in the town I shop in,and they are all charging the same,do these so called educated people,think that the people are so stupid,we need to be effing told where to go..in fact I find if u go from shop to shop,it’s more expensive,but the 31st of March,the AIB bank,had no problems taking our fees out,ww bailed them out,gave no help with the covid,and no help either now.but they will up the wages..reading this stuff,drives me so mad
Save ? In a bank !? Better off having a flutter in the bookies . Basically zero interest offered . Rev or the credit union are the best interest rates for a loan . Price bonds are decent too
I see. We’re doing it all wrong!
have your say