Feb 2021. Ireland and the EU and UK

Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s European Affairs Minister, spoke to BBC’s Emily Maitlis about the coronavirus vaccine row and said it was a “mistake”. The European Commission temporarily triggered an article in the Brexit trade deal’s Northern Ireland Protocol on January 29 which suspended the country’s access to the EU’s single market. It was revoked the same… Continue reading Feb 2021. Ireland and the EU and UK

Jan 2021. The EU Covid Vaccination Program

FILE PHOTO: Syringes to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine are seen at a nursing home in Burgbernheim, Germany December 28, 2020. Picture taken December 28, 2020. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

EU leaders have arranged an urgent meeting with AstraZeneca executives after the company unexpectedly slashed its supply of vaccines to the bloc.The vaccine makers have blamed the EU’s supply chain for their failure to deliver the promised 80million vaccines by the end of March as part of a £300million deal. AstraZeneca, which developed its shot… Continue reading Jan 2021. The EU Covid Vaccination Program

Dec 2020. Brexit Trade Deal Done Part 2

A long-awaited trade deal between the UK and the EU has been struck just days before the deadline. The treaty will apply from 1 January 2021 and take over from the arrangements under the transition period, which has seen the UK continue to follow most EU rules since Brexit day. Announcing the news, Boris Johnson… Continue reading Dec 2020. Brexit Trade Deal Done Part 2

Dec 2020. Brexit Trade Deal Done Part 1

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described his post-Brexit trade deal with the EU as a “cakiest treaty”, in an interview with the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg about barriers, exports, and the coronavirus tier system. MPs voted to approve the post-Brexit trade deal by 521 to 73 votes. The bill – which will bring the… Continue reading Dec 2020. Brexit Trade Deal Done Part 1

Brexit Part 31

If an agreement is reached it will need to be turned into legal text and translated into all EU languages, then ratified by the European Parliament. The UK government is likely to introduce legislation implementing parts of any deal reached, which MPs will be able to vote on. And the 27 EU national parliaments could… Continue reading Brexit Part 31

Brexit Part 30

It’s not over, not yet. The two sides in this complicated and drawn out process have agreed that it is worth trying one last time to find a way through their profound differences. But the statements from the prime minister and the EU chief, Ursula von der Leyen, signal clearly that a trade deal is… Continue reading Brexit Part 30

Brexit Part 29

The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, tweeted after the statement was published, saying: “We will see if there is a way forward.” Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin also took to Twitter, welcoming the news that the teams would resume trade talks. He said: “An agreement is in everyone’s best interests. Every effort should be… Continue reading Brexit Part 29

Dec 2020. Brexit Talks 11 Dec

Boris Johnson is being accused of putting Britain on course for a no-deal Brexit, claiming it is now “very, very likely”, as it emerged that Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel have flatly rejected his appeal for direct talks. In a pointed toughening up of his language, the prime minister claimed Britain was on a path… Continue reading Dec 2020. Brexit Talks 11 Dec

Dec 2020. Brexit Talks 10 Dec

Boris Johnson and the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, met in person over a three-hour scallop and turbot dinner to try to unlock the Brexit trade negotiations deadlock. As expected, both sides agreed to continue talking – but they agreed that the gaps between their positions remain wide. https://rumble.com/vc6w9a-dec-2020.-brexit-talks-10-dec.html

Dec 2020. Brexit Talks 9 Dec Part 2

EU and UK negotiators have until Sunday to reach agreement on a future trade deal following an inconclusive three-hour meeting between British Prime Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. A senior UK source described the discussion as “frank”. “Very large gaps remain between the two sides and it is still unclear… Continue reading Dec 2020. Brexit Talks 9 Dec Part 2