- 02 Oct 2018 22:22
#14950516
Ireland would only have no choice if the EU demanded a hard border. For what it's worth, Varadkar is on record saying that the EU has assured him that it won't. Moreover, the border issue is complicated by the fact that the EU insists nothing trade related can be discussed at this stage. So the idea that the EU is this benign actor who is just going along with Ireland because it is a member state doesn't hold up.
There are already sporadic checks as far as I know. It's about permanent infrastructure.
JohnRawls wrote:Okay, if you know it then is it not a valid point to value position of a member state higher than a soon not to be member? How would you sort it out then? Should we disregard a position of a member state in favor of the UK?
Before you say that we can change the position of ireland then think of this:
1) With no deal -> there is a hard border.
2) With no promise -> there is a hard border for a very long time.(Very likely)
3) With the promise -> there is a chance of no border but only if a deal is struck.
So Ireland doesn't have much of a choice here: Either insist on this or basically have a hard border. If they don't insist then a hard border is almost certain and for a very long time. It is an existential question for them so they won't change their mind.
Ireland would only have no choice if the EU demanded a hard border. For what it's worth, Varadkar is on record saying that the EU has assured him that it won't. Moreover, the border issue is complicated by the fact that the EU insists nothing trade related can be discussed at this stage. So the idea that the EU is this benign actor who is just going along with Ireland because it is a member state doesn't hold up.
B0ycey wrote:Any checks at the border is a hard border FYI.
There are already sporadic checks as far as I know. It's about permanent infrastructure.
"Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts"
Richard Feynman
Richard Feynman