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Victoria Jones PA Wire/PA Images

May determined to stick to her Brexit timetable as she publishes Article 50 bill

MPs will get their first chance to debate the Article 50 bill next Wednesday.

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT has published a draft law that would authorise Prime Minister Theresa May to begin the procedure for leaving the European Union in an important milestone towards Brexit.

“The British people have made the decision to leave the EU… so today we have introduced a bill in parliament which will allow us to formally trigger Article 50 by the end of March,” said Brexit minister David Davis.

The two clause “European Union Notification of Withdrawal Bill” asks parliament to give May authority to “notify, under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the United Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from the EU.”

The government said MPs would get their first chance to debate it on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

The government is being forced to go to parliament following a landmark Supreme Court ruling this week that rejected its argument that executive powers allowed it to proceed without prior approval.

Brexit Brexit minister David Davis speaking in the House of Commons Frank Vincini PA Wire Frank Vincini PA Wire

Conservative Prime Minister May has a small majority in the House of Commons and is expected to get the go-ahead from MPs, although opposition parties have said they plan put forward amendments which could slow it down.

House of Commons leader David Lidington told parliament that the bill’s third and final reading in the House of Commons would be on February 8.

The bill’s progress in the House of Lords, the upper chamber, is less certain as the government has no majority there and no control over the timing.

If approved by the House of Lords, the bill would then have to be signed off by Queen Elizabeth II before May can trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty — the formal process for leaving the bloc.

Theresa May had been invited to address the Dáil, with Brexit high on the planned agenda, but refused the offer.

The move was strongly criticised by former deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg.

© AFP 2017

With reporting from Sean Murray

Read: UK Supreme Court rules Brexit must be approved by Parliament

Read: Explainer: What happens now the UK parliament will have to vote on Brexit?

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    Mute The Edge
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:04 PM

    They are going full steam head at full speed into an iceberg field, good luck

    74
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:08 PM

    Strange that they have beaten financial forecasts again today with better than expected growth, but you keep believing that which is fed to you by all the vested interests of the EU and Irish political class.

    71
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    Mute Damocles
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:14 PM

    Ice is good, it’ll keep the champagne cold.

    30
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    Mute Mahmoud O'Connell
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:19 PM

    Clown

    5
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    Mute deise
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:23 PM

    @Paul Fahey: Brexit hasnt happened yet – the fun and games are all ahead!

    48
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:28 PM

    Deise – but we were told business would leave and an instant emergency budget blah blah blah…… Yet they keep outperforming all other leading economies and especially the EU.

    43
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    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:33 PM

    @Paul Fahey: They’re not out of the EU yet, so no-one knows what consequences Brexit eventually will have, but keep up your delusion.

    32
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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:34 PM

    @paul, there have been announcements by several banks that they are moving thousands of jobs to Paris and other EU based financial centres. Car manufacturers continue to assess the situation also. As mentioned above, Brexit hasn’t happened and, yes, there are opportunities as well as challenges which could yet prove the gloomy predictions wrong but it’s much to early for gloating given that a) it hasn’t yet happened, b) it’s a process and not an event. The real measure will be seen over the next 5-10 years.

    26
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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:35 PM

    @Paul Fahey: They keep outperforming due to having control of their own currency, dear boy. Nothing to do with the EU at large. And, btw, last summer I was able to buy 3k worth of good from the UK for a fraction of the coat it was one year prior. Why? Because that currency devalued like crazy.

    UK businesses will suffer no matter what way you dress it up.

    30
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:35 PM

    UK is still enjoying the economic benefits of EU membership. Nothing has been agreed yet.

    30
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    Mute deise
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:36 PM

    @Paul Fahey: Dont believe everything you are “told” thats what got the UK in this mess in the first place! and yes, there are businesses leaving only for Ms Mayhems secretive deal with Toyota – that would be the first big casualty. Airbus which employs 6000 in the UK need free movement of their product within the EU. Not to mention any other manufacturing facility in the UK.

    20
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:13 PM

    Snuffles – so having control over your currency is a good thing, but the EU tell us that it is not and the Euro is the currency of choice, you seem to be arguing my point for me there “dear boy”. The UK are also outperforming all other G8 nations, who also have control of their an currency, odd that.

    Is the EU outperforming anyone in the growth stakes?

    18
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:18 PM

    Tony – please could you provide a credible link to the thousands of jobs that are definitely leaving London as a result of Brexit, as stated by you.

    17
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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jan 26th 2017, 4:48 PM

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/davos-big-banks-future-post-brexit-banking-jobs-move-eu-financial-sector-goldman-sachs-hsbc-wef-a7536836.html Now before you decide that this is or isn’t a credible source please note that the journal permits 2 links max and that the info is easily verifiable by yourself.

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 4:58 PM

    Tiny – they are all saying MAY, there is nothing definitive there at all, now please back up your earlier premise that thousands and thousands of jobs are leaving the U.K, not may leave the U.K. These are the same people who said they would leave immediately, it is called corporate posturing. These are also the same people who said the UK would immediately fall off a financial cliff and that is just not happening.

    12
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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jan 26th 2017, 5:04 PM

    Pill, take a read of mine and others’ earlier posts. Let’s meet back here in 2 years and see.

    6
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 5:11 PM

    Tony – apologies the “Tiny” was a typo.

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    Mute The Edge
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    Jan 27th 2017, 3:14 PM

    @Paul Fahey: Yes, thats mainly because of the weak pound thanks to Mr Carney and his friends in the Bank of England.

    1
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 26th 2017, 5:05 PM

    We don’t need the UK prime minister coming over to waffle and waste Dail time, we have plenty of our own politicians who can do that.

    32
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    Mute Paul
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:02 PM

    Great, cut yourselves free.

    If Labour block they will be history in 2020.

    31
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    Mute Ted Murray
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:07 PM

    @Paul: __ It’s unfortunate that they won’t be able to cut themselves free from the ones really responsible for their problems i.e. the British Government :p

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:13 PM

    Ted – that is what a general election is for and they get the opportunity a minimum of every five years.

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    Mute Ted Murray
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:33 PM

    @Paul Fahey: — Every five years they get the opportunity of being persuaded who to vote for by the press.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:38 PM

    Strange how some Irish people cheer on the Brexiteers, when Ireland is going to suffer so much as a result.

    19
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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:07 PM

    @Paul Fahey: Breaking news just this minute.

    Oh look, PAul. http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/barclays-expected-to-hire-up-to-150-staff-as-it-chooses-dublin-as-main-eu-hub-postbrexit-35400490.html

    A bank moving to Dublin due to Brexit.

    11
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:23 PM

    Snuffles – expected is the operative word there, much like many if the job announcements that never come on line. Further, 150 jobs? Not exactly the thousands and thousands you have been talking about. Also, these 150 jobs will ONLY come on line IF the UK loses access to the EU trading bloc, which is by no means certain. Now do you have anything credible and definite?

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jan 26th 2017, 5:14 PM

    Paul’s had enough of experts….

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 27th 2017, 8:14 AM

    Tony – I assume now your u have read the reports from Barclays who have very much downplayed any moves to Dublin and have reiterated London is the centre of their business and will continue to be, they also plan expansion.

    Funny that you should mention experts, but you are the same man who lambasts all the elites whilst defending SF, but here you are using Davis and bankers to further your argument, make your mind up man.

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jan 27th 2017, 8:50 AM

    @paul, I think you’ve mixed me up with someone else. If you can find a single post of me ever “lambasting elites” or defending SF you get a prize. Either you’re mixing me up or you’re intentionally misrepresenting. As for Barclays, I didn’t specify which banks and I don’t think I’ve singled out Barclays. That would be a stupid move when so many financial institutions have expressed that they will likely be moving some of their business due to brexit. Like I said in my other post, there is also little point in you continuing to try to defend a process that we have no idea as yet of many specific effects.

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    Mute Damocles
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    Jan 26th 2017, 1:58 PM

    Nick Clegg would love to be asked to address the Dail or indeed anyone. But no one ever asks him. Poor Nick.

    31
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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jan 26th 2017, 5:12 PM

    Actually he’s pretty much constantly on panels discussing brexit.

    8
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    Mute Stephen Duffy
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    Jan 26th 2017, 1:57 PM

    MPs opposed to Brexit should veto it.. They shouldn’t listen to the claims that they are anti-democratic or they are going against the will of the people.. it’s simply, if the Bill doesn’t contain everything promised to the people, and it won’t, then voting against it is defending the will of the people..

    25
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:02 PM

    What was promised to the people? Both sides made it quite clear that voting leave meant leaving the single market.

    29
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    Mute Damocles
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:02 PM

    MPs personally opposed to Brexit but from constituencies that backed it may be more concerned with reelection than with any personal opinions.

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    Mute Mahmoud O'Connell
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:03 PM

    Veto? That means a constitutional right to reject – they don’t have it!!!

    17
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:06 PM

    Damocles – and that is the conundrum for Labour. If they vote against this they are committing political suicide in constituencies throughout the north of England, which is their only remaining heartland. They have lost Scotland and they cannot afford to lose the north, self preservation will prevail.

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    Mute Ted Murray
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:11 PM

    @Stephen Duffy: __ Any politician trying to veto it will have their photo on the front of the Mail and Express, and those rags and others will be calling for a public hanging of said politicians on the grounds of treason.

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    Mute Damocles
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:12 PM

    Self preservation? Are you sure? This is the Labour party. Isn’t ideology more important?

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:14 PM

    Damocles – no, labour will support whilst making vociferous protestations.

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    Mute Damocles
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:39 PM

    Labour have just selected a candidate in Stoke, which voted 70% in favour of leave, who is vehemently opposed to Brexit.

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    Mute The Sagacious Man
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:49 PM

    @Paul Fahey:

    The pre-brexit Northern Ireland Secretary stated:
    “I think that the land border we share with Ireland can be as free-flowing after a Brexit vote as it is today”

    Theresa Villiers, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, 17 April 2016

    https://fullfact.org/europe/eu-referendum-and-irish-border/

    Whereas their Prime Minister now tells us that there will be a hard brexit, with exit from the customs union…

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:08 PM

    So that means a hard border? Despite the fact Theresa May has been quite clear the UK will not impose physical borders in Ireland, odd that. Now, perhaps the EU will, but that was not promised by the UK politicians.

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    Mute Ted Murray
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:56 PM

    @Paul Fahey: __ She has no say in EU borders, despite what she thinks. All she has is a superiority complex, which is part and parcel of being a Tory :p

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    Mute The Sagacious Man
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    Jan 26th 2017, 4:29 PM

    @Paul Fahey:

    Maybe a hard border, or maybe a soft border for immigration and a return to a customs border like in the bad old days, with quotas on certain goods, import/export duties and inconvenience for people who have to cross that border.
    Certainly not what was stated by the UK Government Secretary of State.

    UK leaving the Single Market leaves a lot of headaches for the dairy sector in Northern Ireland and the likes of Moy Park, who sell much of their product in the Republic.

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    Mute Stephen Duffy
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    Jan 26th 2017, 4:48 PM

    Paul some would have voted believing they were voting for the health service to get an extra £350m a week.. they were even promised continued access to the single market and both sides now say this won’t happen..

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 27th 2017, 8:15 AM

    Stephen – no they never, that was never put up by the official leave campaign.

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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:07 PM

    The UK will thrive out of the corrupt EU.

    21
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    Mute deise
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:59 PM

    @@mdmak33: How? elaborate please.

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    Mute T Beckett is back
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    Jan 26th 2017, 6:48 PM

    @@mdmak33:

    City of London will thrive without E U interfering in their corruption more like it.

    U K will be finished.

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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:06 PM

    If I was a betting man. I’d bet May will be gone within 6 months.

    13
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:14 PM

    I will take that bet with you, name the amount.

    21
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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:22 PM

    @Paul Fahey: No way she can sail through these waters and survive. Britain is too split on this issue, the general population, the political establishment , and last but not least, businesses big and small.

    She won’t last, and neither will the following PM. The UK is destined for political upheaval for at least 10 years. They will be in a state of stasis and inertia until enough of the older voters who opted for Brexit, die off.

    There’s no way the UK will follow through on a Brexit. May will be one of many to fall on their sword.

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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:25 PM

    @Mr Snuffleupagus:

    This is totally different to Trump btw, who would have the broadly have support of businesses. May has no such backing.

    11
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:29 PM

    Snuffles – all mouth as suspected. Blusterpuss.

    9
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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:32 PM

    @Paul Fahey: So you think offering a bet to a poster, who clearly said “IF” he was a betting man. on a comment section of an online news publication somehow proves your point?

    How about debating the point instead, hothead?

    13
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    Mute Damocles
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:54 PM

    Yougov polling shows that Theresa May’s plans are believed to respect the result of the the referendum by a majority of both remainers and leavers.

    6
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:51 PM

    Snuffles – dear boy as you say, I dont hide behind an anonymous profile, I am very open so should be no issue. I often wonder why people hide whilst posting opinion, if you support and believe what you say then stand over them. Hot head? You dont make me angry at all, more sympathetic to be honest.

    8
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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:16 PM

    Adios Amigos.
    Au Revoir.
    Auf weidersehen
    Slan leat agus na be afraid.

    12
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    Mute Cathal Leonard
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:31 PM

    Give the brits 5 years driving Chevrolets and give them another vote.

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:07 PM

    Because of course BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, VW are all going to gladly let one of their biggest revenue generators pass to appease the EU political class. Anyway Tesla is the future before you slate US cars.

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    Mute Paul Powell
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    Jan 26th 2017, 3:34 PM

    I smell panic.

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    Mute The Sagacious Man
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    Jan 26th 2017, 4:42 PM

    @Paul Powell:

    So do I.

    50.3. The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the
    withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless
    the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend
    this period.

    How many civil servants and politicians does it take to understand that Brexit means out of ALL EU Treaties, including the single market, unless the entire European Council unanimously extends the deadline? There is no “soft Brexit”. There can only be an agreement to gain some sort of access to the single market, on terms which do not encourage all the other EU States to leave.
    The only access to retain favourable customs tariffs is to have reached a deal within 2 years of triggering Article 50 or be given an extension by all of the other EU States. If any one Member State exercises a veto, then it is back to WTO tariffs and regulations :-)

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    Mute BRIAN H KEARNEY
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    Jan 26th 2017, 2:48 PM

    I’d be surprised if EU didn’t forewarn Nations., “Now if you are in you stay in. No bailing if things do not look so prosperous. That may be an issue.”

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    Mute MedLaw Ireland
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    Jan 26th 2017, 10:41 PM

    Well said Nick

    1
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