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BREXIT BRIEF
BRIEF
BREXIT
Brexit Brief Issue 58: 21 February 2019
Introduction
The Brief seeks to provide up-to-date information on the progress and content of the UK-EU negotiations, and
bring together relevant statements and policy positions from key players in Ireland, the UK and EU.
The Brief is part of a wider communications programme covering the work of the IIEA’s UK Project Group –
including commentaries, speeches, texts and event reports – which are highlighted on the Institute’s website.
(www.iiea.com)
Section One: State of Play withdrawal agreement that can command the support of
Parliament.”
Prime Minister plans Brussels visit and writes to
Conservative MPs She expressed her disappointment that the motion on
Thursday, 14 February had been defeated, and stated
Following the latest Commons defeat, the Prime Minister
that the Government would continue on the basis of the
stated that she will return to Brussels to meet EU leaders.
mandate given it by Parliament on 29 January – that the
She said that, since meeting President Juncker on 7
UK should leave with a deal with legally binding changes
February to begin discussions on addressing the known
to the backstop. She also stressed that the Conservative
concerns of Parliament, the two negotiating teams had
Party should move beyond divisions and act in the
been holding talks to find a way forward that will work
national interest;
for both sides. She also gave details of her personal
programme of direct contact with Heads of State or Without a withdrawal agreement we risk
Government of the other EU Member States, listing a combination forming in Parliament that
will stop Brexit altogether, whatever the long-
nineteen such contacts and stating that she intended to
term consequences for trust in our democracy.
speak to all 27 in the coming days. Alternatively, the UK might exit the EU without a
deal or an implementation period. That would cause
On 17 February, the Prime Minister wrote to all disruption to our economy and to people’s daily lives,
Conservative MPs “to set out what the Government will damaging jobs both at home and across the EU.
be doing this week to take forward our work to secure a
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Instead, our party can do what it has done so often strategy, and condemning what he described as the Prime
in the past: move beyond what divides us and come Minister “running down the clock and hoping that
together behind what unites us; sacrifice if necessary something will turn up that will save the day.” He further
our own personal preferences in the higher service of
the national interest; and rise to the level of events commented:
in a way that restores the faith of the British people
in our political process. It would be the action of It is surprising that the Prime Minister is not even
a Conservative and Unionist Party worthy of that here to hear the result of this vote. I was going to
proud name. ask her to come to the Dispatch Box now to admit
that her strategy has failed and bring forward to
Latest House of Commons Vote the House a coherent plan that can deal with the
stresses and anxieties that so many people all over
On Thursday, 14 February 2019 the House of Commons this country are feeling, so that we can make some
progress together, bring people together and prevent
debated a Government Motion which stated: “That this
the catastrophe of a no-deal exit on 29 March. It
House welcomes the Prime Minister’s statement of 12 is surprising that the Prime Minister is not here. Is
February 2019; reiterates its support for the approach to there some way by which you could encourage her
leaving the EU expressed by this House on 29 January to return to the Dispatch Box and tell us what her
plan is?
2019 and notes that discussions between the UK and the
EU on the Northern Ireland backstop are ongoing.” The Prime Minister did not reappear in the House, but
a statement indicated that she intended to continue her
The Brexit Secretary, Stephen Barclay, was asked by his search for an agreement in Brussels and a deal acceptable
predecessor, David Davis, that “given the debate and to Parliament.
dispute about the meaning of the Government’s motion”
would he clarify that “if the European Union does not Prime Minister in House of Commons 12 February
agree to a deal that is acceptable to this House and the 2019
Government, we will still be leaving on 29 March?”
In advance of the Motion debate on 14 February, Prime
Secretary Barclay replied that “I am very happy to give
Minister Theresa May addressed the House of Commons
that assurance. The Cabinet’s position on no deal has been
on the Brexit negotiations on 12 February 2019. She
agreed; it was agreed in response to the Cabinet paper
updated the House on her meetings with President Juncker,
that I presented on 18 December. My Right Hon. Friend
President Tusk and President Tajani, in which she outlined
the Prime Minister has repeated her commitment to the
Parliament’s desire for legally binding changes to the
timescale on numerous occasions, including again in her
backstop. She commented on her visit to Northern Ireland
statement this week.”
and the implications of a hard border for civil society, as
Following a three-hour debate, the Government Motion well as business leaders, in the area. She stated that “we all
was defeated by 303 votes to 258, with a significant need to hold our nerve” to secure changes to the backstop
number of Tory MPs, including the European Research and to deliver a Brexit that could command the support of
Group led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, either abstaining or the House of Commons.
voting against the Motion. The DUP voted with the On 29th January, this House gave me a clear
Government. mandate and sent an unequivocal message to the
European Union. Last week, I took that message to
The Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, responded Brussels. I met President Juncker, President Tusk,
to the outcome, outlining his view that the vote shows and the President of European Parliament, Antonio
Tajani – and I told them clearly what Parliament
that there is no majority for the Prime Minister’s Brexit
As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole
responsibility of the author.BREXIT
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wanted in order to unite behind a Withdrawal 3. Dynamic alignment on rights and protections so that
Agreement: namely, legally binding changes to the UK standards do not fall behind those of the European
backstop. Union;
[…]
In Northern Ireland last week, I heard again the 4. Unambiguous agreements on future security
importance of securing a Withdrawal Agreement arrangements, such as the European Arrest Warrant;
that works for all the people of this United Kingdom. and
In Belfast I met not just with politicians but with
leaders of civil society and business from across the 5. Clear commitments on future participation in EU
community. Following this House’s rejection of the
Withdrawal Agreement, many people in Northern agencies and funding programmes.
Ireland are worried about what the current
uncertainty will mean for them. In this House we The Prime Minister replied by letter on 10 February,
often focus on the practical challenges posed by the thanking him for agreeing to further detailed discussions
border in Northern Ireland. But for many people in on all aspects of the Brexit negotiations. She welcomed
Northern Ireland, what looms larger is the fear that
Jeremy Corbyn’s stated concerns about the backstop and
the seamless border between Ireland and Northern
Ireland that helped make the progress which has suggested talks between the party teams on the exact
followed the Belfast Agreement possible might be nature of alternative arrangements.
disrupted. We must not let that happen and we
shall not let that happen. The Prime Minister rejected the Labour Party call for
The talks are at a crucial stage. We now all need participation in a customs union arguing that “I am
to hold our nerve to get the changes this House not clear why you believe it would be preferable to seek
requires and deliver Brexit on time. By getting
a say in future EU trade deals rather than the ability to
the changes we need to the backstop; by protecting
and enhancing workers’ rights and environmental strike our own deals” and pointing out that the Political
protections; and by enhancing the role of Parliament Declaration provides for a future relationship which could
in the next phase of negotiations I believe we can provide the benefits of a customs union while recognising
reach a deal that this House can support.
the development of the UK’s independent trade policy.
Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May Exchange Letters She also argued that securing frictionless trade in
goods was a key objective, but that there was a serious
On 6 February, the Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, complication insofar as the EU insists this would require
wrote to the Prime Minister, setting out his party’s terms UK membership of the Single Market and acceptance of
for backing the Government in key Brexit decisions. His free movement “which Labour’s 2017 General Election
letter followed the direct talks on Brexit between the two manifesto made clear you do not support.”
leaders. The Labour Party called for five legally binding
commitments which would be included in a reworked The Prime Minister went on to point to significant areas
Political Declaration: of agreement between the parties – on workers’ rights,
environmental protection, participation in certain EU
1. A permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs programmes and security arrangements. She expressed
union, including a say in future trade deals; the hope that the two parties would arrange to meet at
appropriate levels to advance shared positions on key
2. Close alignment with the single market, underpinned
issues.
by shared institutions;
As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole
responsibility of the author.BREXIT
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Prime Minister in Brussels 7 February 2019 Section Two: The Evolving Debate
Following meetings in Brussels with Presidents Tusk
Conservative and Labour Resignations
and Juncker, the Prime Minister and the Commission
President issued a Joint Statement on 7 February 2019. In On Monday, 18 February 2019, seven Labour MPs
it, the context of the vote in the House of Commons of announced their resignations from the Labour Party,
the previous week was outlined, along with Parliament’s citing their dissatisfaction with Labour’s Brexit strategy
desire to secure legally binding changes to the backstop. and its handling of allegations of anti-Semitism within
The statement also included President Juncker’s comments the Party. Chuka Umunna, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker,
that the Withdrawal Agreement could not be reopened, Chris Leslie, Mike Gapes, Ann Coffey and Luciana
but that there would be a willingness to add wording to Berger announced their resignations on the morning
the Political Declaration. of 18 February and were followed the next evening by
Joan Ryan, Labour MP for Enfield North. They will sit
The Prime Minister described the context in the UK together as an ‘Independent Group’ in Parliament.
Parliament, and the motivation behind last week’s vote in
the House of Commons seeking a legally binding change Shortly afterwards, on Wednesday, 20 February 2019,
to the terms of the backstop. She raised various options three Tory MPs, Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and
for dealing with these concerns in the context of the Heidi Allen defected from their own party, indicating that
Withdrawal Agreement in line with her commitments to they will sit as independents alongside the Independent
the Parliament. Group, while saying that they may continue to support
the Government at times, “for example on measures to
President Juncker underlined that the EU27 will not strengthen our economy, security and improve our public
reopen the Withdrawal Agreement, which represents a services”. They claimed that they were unhappy with the
carefully balanced compromise between the European increasingly right leaning tendencies of the Tory Party,
Union and the UK, in which both sides have made writing: “We no longer feel we can remain in the party of
significant concessions to arrive at a deal. President a government whose policies and priorities are so firmly in
Juncker however expressed his openness to add wording the grip of the ERG and DUP.” The letter expressed deep
to the Political Declaration agreed by the EU27 and the dissatisfaction with the Brexit strategy of the Tory Party,
UK in order to be more ambitious in terms of content and which they claimed alienated the 48% of remain voters.
speed when it comes to the future relationship between
the European Union and the UK. President Juncker drew President Higgins Visits UK
attention to the fact that any solution would have to be
agreed by the European Parliament and the EU27. The President visited Birmingham and Liverpool on 11-
12 February 2019, carrying out a programme including
The discussion was robust but constructive. Despite the a tribute to the victims of the 1974 Birmingham ‘Pub
challenges, the two leaders agreed that their teams should Bombing’ IRA outrage. At the University of Liverpool,
hold talks as to whether a way through can be found with the Prince of Wales, the President formalised their
that would gain the broadest possible support in the Joint Patronage of the Institute of Irish Studies
UK Parliament and respect the guidelines agreed by the
European Council. The President addressed an Enterprise Ireland and IDA
business lunch on 12 February, underlining the importance
of the close historical relationship between Ireland and
As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole
responsibility of the author.BREXIT
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the UK, and the potential impact of the current Brexit of the EU27 to the Withdrawal Agreement and Political
impasse on trade relationships and investment between Declaration, and particularly to the protocol on Northern
the two countries: Ireland, describing the backstop as “an integral part of the
Withdrawal Agreement”, but a part which they hope will
We cannot deny that we are on the cusp now of a
not need to be used. The statement also emphasised the
potentially seismic shift in the structure of the trade
and commercial relationships between Ireland and backstop issue as a European, rather than bilateral issue:
Britain and, of course, this brings reverberations
within the island of Ireland, and through the The backstop is an integral part of the Withdrawal
midlands and north of the UK. The uncertainty Agreement. While we hope the backstop will not
that exists, and that may continue to exist for some need to be used, it is a necessary legal guarantee to
time, seems to offer an inevitable dampening effect protect peace and to ensure there will be no return
on business links and investment decisions across to a hard border on the island of Ireland, while
borders that are currently frictionless, but where protecting the integrity of our Single Market and the
barriers to trade and cooperation may soon emerge. Customs Union.
We must, together, face the uncertainty we are now The Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop,
confronted with, and endeavour to ensure, whatever is a balanced compromise, representing a good
the outcome of the Brexit Odyssey, that the warm outcome for citizens and businesses on all sides,
relationship, built on ties of family, friendship and including in Northern Ireland.
shared interests, will endure and will grow. The backstop is not a bilateral issue, but a European
one. Ireland’s border is also the border of the European
Prime Minister in Dublin, Friday 8 February 2019 Union and its market is part of the Single Market.
We will stay united on this matter.
The Prime Minister visited Dublin for discussions over
dinner with the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. The meeting During the press conference following the Tusk-Varadkar
took place at the end of a week in which both leaders had meeting, President Tusk said that he had been “wondering
visited Brussels and Belfast. The occasion was described by what a special place in hell looks like for those who
aides as “warm” in contrast to some recent encounters. No promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan for how
Press Briefing took place after the meeting, but an Irish to carry it out.” This remark was immediately criticised by
Government spokesman said that the two leaders spoke UK politicians and media, with most critics ignoring or
about “the latest Brexit developments” and the “ongoing deleting the part of the sentence after ‘Brexit’ and asserting
political impasse in Northern Ireland.” The Taoiseach that Donald Tusk was speaking of all Brexit supporters. A
commented that this was not a moment for negotiation spokesman for Prime Minister May commented that “It is
but, rather, an opportunity to share perspectives. a question for Donald Tusk whether he considers that kind
of language to be helpful.”
Taoiseach in Brussels / Belfast
The Taoiseach visited Belfast on 8 February 2019 to hear
The Taoiseach visited Brussels on 6 February 2019 where the latest views from the main Northern Ireland parties
he met Presidents Tusk and Juncker for discussions on and to brief the party delegations on his Brussels visit. He
developments in Westminster and on Ireland’s no-deal also spoke with the parties about the Stormont impasse.
contingency measures. He also met the President of the
European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, the Chief Negotiator, Prime Minister in Belfast 5-6 February 2019
Michel Barnier, Guy Verhofstadt MEP and Commissioner
The Prime Minister visited Belfast for a series of meetings
Phil Hogan. The Taoiseach and President Juncker issued a
with the political parties, business groups, farming
Joint Statement, in which they reaffirmed the commitment
As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole
responsibility of the author.BREXIT
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organisations and community groups. She spoke to a He heard Irish-American congressmen state that any trade
business audience in Belfast: agreement between the US and UK after Brexit would
depend on the maintenance of a soft border.
I know that many people in Northern Ireland,
and indeed across this island, are worried about
Preparations for a possible no-deal situation continued
what Parliament’s rejection of the withdrawal deal
means for them. So I am here today to affirm my with cabinet Brexit updates on key policy areas and a
commitment, and that of the United Kingdom visit by senior EU officials as part of their contingency
Government, to all of the people of Northern Ireland, planning. Brexit updates for business included Revenue
of every background and tradition. To affirm my
contact with 80,000 companies on customs arrangements
commitment to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement,
to its successors the St Andrew’s Agreement and the post-Brexit.
Stormont House Agreement, and to the principles
they enshrine – which is absolute. And to affirm my Government Brexit events took place in Dublin, Limerick,
commitment to delivering a Brexit that ensures no Longford and Sligo with the fifth All-Island Civic
return to a hard border between Northern Ireland Dialogue on 15 February, addressed by the Taoiseach and
and Ireland – which is unshakeable.
Tánaiste. The Taoiseach also addressed the 4th European
That is why I agreed to the backstop in the
Financial Forum at Dublin Castle on Brexit preparations.
Withdrawal Agreement. And unlike the original
European Commission proposal, it did not impose
a customs border between Northern Ireland and the The Irish Attorney General, Seamus Woulfe, and his UK
rest of the UK. Many people, businesses, farming counterparty, Geoffrey Cox, met in Dublin on 8 February
organisations and voluntary groups in Northern for discussions on the legal aspects of the on-going Brexit
Ireland agreed with me. They spoke out in support discussions.
of the Withdrawal Agreement and they defended
the backstop. I know that wasn’t an easy thing to do
and I am grateful to them for doing so. Opinion Poll
Statutory Instruments Programme A Sky News poll indicates that 60 per cent of the Irish
population approve the Government’s handling of the
The UK Government initially indicated that it would set Brexit negotiations, with only 17 percent disapproving.
out between 800 and 1,000 Statutory Instruments (SIs) A similar number approve of the EU’s stance on Brexit.
to prepare the statute book for exit day. In November Nearly two-thirds support the concept of a united Ireland.
2018, the figure was revised down to approximately 700,
and in January 2019 to fewer than 600. Some 422 Brexit-
related SI have been laid since the EU (Withdrawal) Act
was passed in June 2018. A recent review shows that 83%
of the time available to process SIs before exit day has now
elapsed but only 70% of the minimum number of SIs
needed for Brexit have been laid before Parliament.
Irish Developments
In a visit to the US, the Tánaiste, Simon Coveney, covered
a number of issues including Brexit.
As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole
responsibility of the author.BREXIT
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Section Three: Background Material and Further Politics Home Theresa May’s Brexit letter to Jeremy
Reading Corbyn. PoliticsHome, 11 February 2019. www.
politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/
Background Material news/101747/read-full-theresa-mays-brexit-letter-
President of Ireland Speech at Enterprise Ireland jeremy-corbyn
and IDA Business Lunch, Liverpool, 12 February 2019
The Guardian May rejects Corbyn’s offer as businesses
www.president.ie/en/diary/details/president-attends-an-
warn of Brexit cliff edge. Guardian, 10 February 2019.
enterprise-ireland-and-ida-business-lunch/speeches
www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/10/brexit-mps-
Government of Ireland Statement by President Jean- will-have-another-say-by-end-of-month-says-minister
Claude Juncker and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, 6 February
BBC Brexit: Theresa May meets Leo Varadkar for Brexit
2019. www.merrionstreet.ie/News-room/News/
talks. BBC, 8 February 2019. www.bbc.com/news/uk-
Statement_by_President_Jean-Claude_Juncker_and_
northern-ireland-47161550
Taoiserach+Leo_Varadkar.html
Irish Times Taoiseach and May discuss Brexit ‘overall
Prime Minister Theresa May Letter to Conservative
state of play’ in Dublin. IT. 9 February 2019, www.
MPs, 17 February 2019. www.conservativehome.
irishtimes.com/news/politics/taoiseach-and-may-discuss-
com/front page/2019/02/newslinks-for-sunday-17th-
brexit-overall-state-of-play-in--dublin-1.3787387
february-2019.html
Financial Times Tusk warns of a ‘special place in hell’
HM Government Prime Minister’s speech to House of
for Brexiters with no plan. FT. 7 February 2019. www.
Commons, 12 February 2019. www.gov.uk/government/
ft.com/content/5d79d8e6-2a09-11e9-a5ab-ff8ef2b976c7
speeches/pms-statement-to-the-house-of-commons-on-
brexit-12-february-2019 Martin Kettle A special place in hell? Donald Tusk
didn’t go far enough. Guardian, 6 February 2019. www.
HM Government Joint statement on behalf of the Prime
theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/06/donald-
Minister and President Juncker, 7 February 2019. www.
tusk-brexiters-ireland-tories
gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-behalf-of-
the-prime-minister-and-president-juncker Financial Times Theresa May to tell MPs to ‘hold nerve’ to
overhaul Brexit deal. FT,12 February 2019. www.ft.com/
HM Government Prime Minister’s speech in Belfast, 5
content/e55dea80-2df7-11e9-8744-e7016697f225
February 2019. www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-
speech-in-belfast-5-february-2019 RTE Divisions continue as May to pursue strategy
to change Brexit backstop. RTE, 15 February 2019.
BBC Brexit: Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn set to
www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2019/0215/1029715-brexit-
hold further talks. BBC, 11February 2019. www.bbc.
commons-may-defeat
com/news/uk-politics-47192233
Financial Times May to return to Brussels in search
of Brexit deal. FT, 17 February 2019. www.ft.com/
content/1c1b5ed4-310b-11e9-ba00-0251022932c8
As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole
responsibility of the author.BREXIT
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Politico Barnier and Barclay break bread, but not Brexit The Guardian UK and Irish attorneys general to meet
deadlock. Politico, 11 February 2019. www.politico.eu/ for Brexit talks. Guardian, 8 February 2019. www.
article/michel=barnier-stephen-barclay-brexit-meeting- theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/08/uk-and-irish-
brussels attorney-generals-to-meet-for-brexit-talks
The Guardian Corbyn lays out Labour’s terms for The Guardian We must rule out a hard exit. Business
backing May on Brexit. Guardian, 6 February 2019. is at breaking point. Guardian, 2 February 2019. www.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/06/corbyn-lays- theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/02/brexiters-deal-
out-labours-terms-for-backing-may-on-brexit uk-firms-uncertainty-britain-european-union-business-
sector
Vince Cable Parliament’s Brexit drama will play out
in three acts. FT, 17 February 2019. www.ft.com/ Financial Times May taps business leaders to help
content/0d4f6ac0-3111-11e9-80d2-7b637a9e1ba1 push EU compromise on Brexit. FT, 5 February
2019. www.ft.com/content/4affdc50-28ac-11e9-88a4-
Will Hutton One day, a second people’s vote will bring us
c32129756dd8
back into the EU. But when? Observer, 3 February 2019.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/03/one- Irish Times Brexit: Merkel suggests ‘creative’ approach
day-a-second-peoples-vote-will-bring-us-back-into-the- on the Border. IT, 5 February 2019. www.irishtimes.
european-union-the-only-question-is-when com/news/world/europe/brexit-merkel-suggests-creative-
approach-on-the-border-1.3781667
The Guardian Queen to be evacuated if Brexit turns
ugly –reports. Guardian, 3 February 2019. www. Financial Times UK union leaders ‘at war’ over Brexit.
theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/03/queen-to-be- FT, 5 February 2019. www.ft.com/content/cd1ebea4-
evacuated-if-brexit-turns-ugly-reports 2898-11e9-a5ab-ff8ef2b976c7
BBC Brexit: UK will not be ‘trapped’ in backstop, May Centre for European Reform The lessons of Brexit:
to tell EU. BBC, 7 February 2019. www.bbc.com/news/ Annual report 2018, February 2019. www.cer.eu/about/
uk-politics-47152035 annual-report/2018
BBC Brexit: Theresa May ‘determined’ to leave EU in Centre for European Reform Can the UK extend the
March. BBC, 3 February 2019. www.bbc.com/news/uk- Brexit deadline? 6 February 2019. www.cer.eu/insights/
politics-47105990 can-uk-extend-brexit-deadline
RTE Theresa May says she will seek a ‘pragmatic’ Hansard Brexit Statutory Instruments Dashboard,
Brexit deal. RTE, 3 February 2019. www.rte.ie/news/ 14 February 2019. www.hansardsociety.org,uk/blog/
uk/2019/0203/1027202-uk-politics-brexit westminster-lens-brexit-statutory-instruments-dashboard
Financial Times Dutch PM warns ‘devastating’ impact Government of Ireland Government Brexit Update, 8
of no-deal on UK. FT, 14 February 2019. www.ft.com/ February 2019. www.dfa.ie/brexit
content/44f6a5f8-2f8e-11e9-ba00-0251022932c8
As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole
responsibility of the author.BREXIT
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Government of Ireland Government Brexit Update, 15 Suzanne Lynch Brexit: UK told to uphold Belfast
February 2019. www.dfa.ie/brexit Agreement if it wants US trade deal. IT, 7 February
2019. www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/brexit-uk-
Tony Connelly Brexit: Hell, high water and the return told-to-uphold-belfast-agreement-if-it-wants-us-trade-
of Chequers. RTE, 9 February 2019. www.rte.ie/news/ deal-1.3785317
brexit/2019/0208/1028467-brexit-tony-connelly
Brian O’Donovan Saints and scholars: Ireland turns to
RTE ‘Incredible’ UK has let Brexit ‘come to this’ – US for Brexit support. RTE, 3 February 2019. www.
Coveney. RTE, 14 February 2019. www.rte.ie/news/ rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2019/0203/1027159-
politics/2019/0214/1029655-brexit ireland-brexit-us
Fiona Mitchell MPs play waiting game as Brexit clock
The Guardian Brexit: Leadsom urges Tories not to be
ticks ever louder. RTE, 12 February 2019. www.rte.
‘purist’ about Irish Backstop. Guardian, 12 February
ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2019/0212/1029004-
2019. www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/12/
brexit-westminster
brexit-leadsom-urges-tories-not-to-be-purist-about-irish-
Irish Times Opinion poll shows majority strongly backstop
support Government stance on Brexit. IT, 8 February
RTE Claire Byrne: We are staring into a Brexit abyss
2019. www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-
through no fault of our own. RTE, 3 February 2019.
news/opinion-poll-shows-majority-strongly-support-
www.rte.ie/news/2019/0203/1027164-brexit-claire-
government-stance-on-brexit-1.3786939
byrne-live
RTE Alternatives to border Backstop represent ‘wishful
RTE No-deal Brexit potentially devastating for NI peace
thinking’ –Coveney. RTE, 4 February 2019. www.rte.ie/
process- Blair. RTE, 10 February 2019. www.rte.ie/
news/brexit/2019/0204/1027512-brexit-ireland
news/brexit/2019/0210/1028639-blair-brexit-ireland
Noel Whelan Delicate diplomacy turns to high
Newton Emerson The DUP’s Brexit hardball has gone
politics. IT, 8 February 2019. www.irishtimes.com/
flat. IT, 14 February 2019. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/
opinion/noel-whelan-delicate-diplomacy-turns-to-high-
newton-emerson-the-dup-s-brexit-hardball-has-gone-
politics-1.3785653
flat-1.3792718
Irish Times Nicola Sturgeon backs Irish Government
Financial Times Brexit: no-deal fears fuel Irish Business
on backstop stance. IT, 5 February 2019. www.
anxiety. FT, 12 February 2019. www.ft.cm/content/
irishtimes.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-backs-irish-
d00472c6-2a3c-11e9-88a4-c32129756dd8
government-on-backstop-stance-1.3782029
The Guardian Northern Ireland’s young people
Financial Times DUP hints at flexibility over Irish
know their history, If only the rest of Britain did too.
backstop Brexit solution, FT, 6 February 2019.
Guardian, 12 February 2019. www.theguardian.com/
www.ft.com/content/7d4c1126-28b9-11e9-a5ab-
commentisfree/2019/feb/12/irish-brexit-northern-
ff8ef2b976c7
ireland-young-people
As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole
responsibility of the author.BREXIT BRIEF BREXIT BRIEF 058 | FEB 2019 Irish Times ‘Cross-Border communities are in a perilous position’. IT, 15 February 2019. www.irishtimes. com/business/transport-and-tourism/cross-border- communities-are-in-a-perilous-position-1.3791096 RTE Claire Byrne Live. Lessons of the past lost on those in control of Brexit. RTE, 17 February 2019. www. rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2019/0215/1030923- brexit-lessons-past Irish Times Brexit reminds us of ‘miracle’ that brought France, Germany out of enmity – McAleese. IT, 6 February 2019. www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/ brexit-reminds-us-of-miracle-that-brought-france- germany-out-of-enmity-mcaleese-1.3782089 Further Reading Kevin O’Rourke A Short History of Brexit From Brentry to Backstop. Pelican. As an independent forum, the Institute does not express any opinions of its own. The views expressed in the article are the sole responsibility of the author.
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