UK Brexit transitional deal could be blocked by Ireland over border disputes
GETTY Ireland has threatened to block the UK's plans for transitional period deal
An Irish government source has revealed that Ireland is prepared to use the "nuclear option" of vetoing the transition period if it does not reach a successful resolution on customs arrangements, the Telegraph reports. According to a Government policy paper released today, Theresa May has proposed a transitional period after Brexit, but Ireland is now calling for assurances that the free trade and movement of people between Ireland and Northern Ireland would permanently remain after the UK's divorce from the European Union. Earlier Phil Hogan, the Republic's European Union commissioner, said that Ireland could be the "biggest victim of this mess" and accused the UK of "high-level delusion". Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has urged the UK to stay in the customs union or face the barriers of a new border on the Irish Sea.
Their comments come as Philip Hammond and Liam Fox issued a joint statement vowing that the UK will leave the Customs Union and Single Market after Brexit in March 2019. A Government policy paper is set to be published where ministers will reportedly push for a "light touch" customs border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Brexit Secretary David Davis has acknowledged the dispute is likely to be "problematic" as he called for "invisible" customs checks. But Britain’s Brexit negotiators are confident Brussels will support the UK over the dispute.
GETTY Ireland is prepared to use "nuclear option" of vetoing the transition period, Government source says
Brexit transition phase: Cabinet splits three ways Thu, August 10, 2017 Who is pushing for the most gradual departure possible from the EU? And who favours a cleaner break? Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 15 HARD BREXIT: Andrea Leadsom
The bit that's more problematic is making the border invisible in the way that it is now David Davis
Speaking in Edinburgh, Mr Davis said an agreement over the free movement of people between Ireland and Northern Ireland should be "straightforward". He said: "I was sitting next to an Irish banker at a dinner of financial services, and he said: ‘What am I going to do? How am I going to be able to travel between Britain and Ireland’. "I said: ‘The same way you have been doing since 1923 when the Common Travel Area was established.’ That bit ought to be very straightforward. “The bit that's more problematic is making the border invisible in the way that it is now."
Brexit Negotiations: Britain's sternest enemies Tue, April 4, 2017 According to a new index, the EU27 countries fall into three groups: hard-core, hard and soft. These are the countries with the highest scores which indicate a fairly strong opposition to Britain’s position Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 7 France has the highest score in the index at 32.5