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'A dagger at the heart of the Union': Brexit reality for Northern Ireland will fuel Nationalist hopes of Irish unity
01/01/2021
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill says Brexit is a gamechanger, but the DUP's Arlene Foster doesn't consider Irish unity inevitable.
'Radical change is needed for UK to survive'
05/08/2019
For the UK to survive, the UK government's approach to devolution needs to "change fundamentally", Wales' Brexit minister has warned.
Several cabinet ministers have told the BBC a no-deal Brexit could lead to a vote on Irish unification.
A majority of MLAs in the Stormont Assembly have signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson stating their opposition to proposed legislation to amend the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Brexit is a “game-changer” that could trigger a referendum on Irish unification within three years, the leader of the nationalist Sinn Finn party said Saturday.
Shockwaves felt both sides of Irish divide over plan to renege on withdrawal agreement.
The renewed tension in Northern Ireland could have far-reaching implications for the future of the United Kingdom - and post-Brexit relations with the EU.
EU CHIEF Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier is to meet Sinn Féin and DUP representatives today as the countdown begins to the UK leaving the European Union on Friday.
Border communities protest at Irish parliament to call on politicians to sign a declaration to protect backstop
07/03/2019
Protesters have gathered outside the Irish parliament to call on public representatives to sign a declaration to protect the backstop.
The SNP is on the rise once again in Scotland and nationalist parties in Northern Ireland outnumber unionists for the first time in history.
Report cites leaked proposals for clearance areas 5-10 miles from border and real-time tracking of goods.
Glimmers of a potential Brexit deal have sparked dissent among Boris Johnson's allies, as the EU signals it may be open to another extension.
Boris Johnson's Brexit plans draw backlash outside England, threatening unity of the U.K.
02/08/2019
New British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s big tour of the U.K. saw him booed by EU supporters in Wales and heckled by nationalists in Scotland. Northern Ireland’s fractious parties then told him that his Brexit plans were reopening old wounds.
Downing Street beats a hasty retreat after leak shows backsliding on Good Friday Agreement pledges. / There is near-unanimous political outrage in Ireland over a leaked British government plan to throw up a “buffer zone” with customs posts on the Irish border. Parties across the political spectrum branded it “out of the question”.
Wales Governance Centre Annual Lecture - 2021 - Brigid Laffan:
This lecture analyses how Ireland responded to Brexit and the manner in which Brexit disturbed the delicate political and institutional balances that were central to the Good Friday Agreement.
Northern Ireland politicians are making a last-ditch attempt to break a political impasse triggered by Brexit that has stopped the formation of a functioning government in Belfast.
Even the keenest Brexiteer must feel that the process has been tortuously long. / That has been, in large part, because successive British governments have refused to accept the trade-off between untrammelled sovereignty and friction-free access to the EU’s single market, a refusal that shapes today’s increasingly testy relationship.
Molotov cocktails and barricades have returned to Northern Ireland. The conflict there is 4 centuries old. But Brexit is the new reason why the situation has reached the boiling point in what had been an era of peace.
Irish reunification may have seemed impossible in recent years - but one analyst believes Brexit has advanced the cause. / Brexit has arguably torn one country apart, but could it soon bring two together? Despite a troubled history between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, a new power-sharing agreement in Stormont may have significantly shifted the goalposts.
Sinn Fein was once disparaged as the political wing of the IRA. It’s now on course to be the biggest party in both the north and south of the island.
Brexit will lead to referendum on Irish unity within five years, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald claims
17/09/2020
The party president accused Boris Johnson of being willing to break the Good Friday Agreement in pursuit of his Brexit goals
Ministers’ letter confirms border control posts at ports of Belfast, Warrenpoint and Larne.
The political reality is that the United Kingdom is on a shoogly peg - and Brexit may be catalyst which breaks up the country.
Last week, the prime minister said Northern Ireland was unable to prepare fully for a no-deal Brexit because of the collapse of devolution.
Pro-Remain parties in Northern Ireland criticise ‘petty’ decision by UK government.
Micheal Martin warned the move to override parts of the international deal could “destabilise” politics in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin accuses UK government of ‘Tory petulance’ claiming its leader Mary Lou McDonald had been excluded from the talks.
There were some concerns raised with SDLP councillor Rory Farrell and Sinn Féin councillor Conor Heaney laying the blame for the loss of European funding firmly on Brexit.
Court rules Edwin Poots made 'politically motivated decision' to halt Irish Sea border checks
15/12/2022
Former DUP Minister Edwin Poots unlawfully took a politically motivated decision in ordering a halt to Irish Sea border checks, the High Court ruled today.
World View: Lessons to be learned through the experience of defeated Remainers
Disbelief and outrage across EU as UK says it won’t do anything to stop end to Brexit food checks in Northern Ireland
03/02/2022
European media responded with shock and disbelief this morning after a minister in Northern Ireland ordered to end checks on food in his country and the UK declared it won’t do anything about it.
Refusal to nominate speaker derails legislature and raises stakes in London’s dispute with Brussels
DUP minister accused of ‘breach of international law’ with bid to halt Northern Ireland post-Brexit checks
02/02/2022
The UK Government’s Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis has indicated that he will not intervene after the controversial move by the devolved minister.
DUP minister Edwin Poots breached Brexit-imposed legal obligations by ordering halt to Irish Sea border checks, court hears
15/09/2022
DUP minister Edwin Poots breached Brexit-imposed legal obligations by ordering a halt to Irish Sea border checks, the High Court has heard.
DUP threats on Brexit protocol ‘won’t make a damn bit of difference,’ blast Northern Irish rivals
04/02/2022
Other parties in Northern Ireland’s unraveling administration say Boris Johnson doesn’t care whether power-sharing survives in Belfast.
Edwin Poots' proposals to increase minimum land area for post-Brexit agriculture payments could put many farmers 'out of business'
11/02/2022
PROPOSALS by Edwin Poots' department for post-Brexit support for agriculture could threaten the livelihood of hundreds of small farmers, according to the chair a Stormont committee.
EU prepares 'time-limited backstop' offer for Boris Johnson in effort to save Brexit talks
09/10/2019
Under the proposals being considered, the EU would allow the unilateral revocation of the backstop if both Sinn Fein and the DUP agreed.
He was booed in Scotland. In Wales, a chicken submitted to his embrace, but politicians held him at arm’s length. And in Northern Ireland, there were rumblings of Irish unity — which could only come at the expense of its ties to the rest of the United Kingdom.
Everyone should worry about no deal, the civil servant who was, until March, head of the Brexit department has said.
Former Sinn Féin president issues plea to backers to drum up support for poll in US.
Hardline Brexiteers have been accused of “jeopardising” peace in Northern Ireland after they made dramatic claims the Good Friday Agreement was “not sustainable”. / Former Northern Ireland Secretary Lord Hain called Hoey’s intervention a “reckless slur”.
Ireland’s European commissioner criticises decision by DUP minister affecting food and animal imports.
What should we call a project that poleaxes the economy, destroys our global reputation and threatens political stability in Northern Ireland? If we had known what would come to pass, how would we have voted on it six years ago?
The Irish political party pushing to unify the island wants Ottawa to halt post-Brexit trade talks with Britain, arguing that London is undermining the agreement that brokered peace between Catholics and Protestants.
The Irish Government believes the office would be a reflection of the EU's 'ongoing support' for the peace process.
Fiach Kelly: The main threat from a crashout is political and constitutional, not economic.
A REFERENDUM on Irish reunification is “closer than ever before” thanks to Brexit, Michelle O’Neill has said.
The system for checks on agri-foods at Northern Ireland's sea ports is "not fit for purpose", according to an audit carried out by the European Commission.
It is "irresponsible" for the Irish government to say a border poll should not be held at the moment due to uncertainty about Brexit, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has said.
The prime minister’s rightwing pact with the DUP and the increasing likelihood of a no-deal Brexit have left the people in the north of Ireland staring into an abyss.
Select committee raises the question of Sinn Féin refusing to enter power sharing if the Northern Ireland protocol is ditched.
EU gives go-ahead to weekend meetings after PM appears to backtrack on customs stance.
"With only eight weeks until the UK exits the EU, the four pro-Remain Assembly parties - Sinn Féin, SDLP, Alliance and Greens - are united in our support for the backstop negotiated by both the European Union and the British Government."
THE SON of the late Rev Ian Paisley has said talk of a united Ireland is not as easily dismissed as it once was and that Brexit bears much of the responsibility for transforming attitudes.
Listen – Pro-Brexit politicians told to stop ‘crying salty tears’ and accept consequences of leaving EU
04/02/2021
“Those who championed Brexit and are crying salty tears now because of the consequences of Brexit need to accept that those are consequences of their decisions, their actions, and to not point the finger at others.”
London 'did not prioritise NI solutions'
14/05/2022
It is hard to dispute the idea that London did not prioritise finding a solution to the Brexit problems facing Northern Ireland, a former top Stormont civil servant has said.
London View: Brexit Cracks Start to Widen
15/06/2022
The cracks across Britain that appeared at the start of Brexit have begun to widen over the past few days. Scottish leaders are renewing a push for independence, the fragile agreement over Northern Ireland is falling apart, and Britain is reeling under price rises pushed up further by Brexit.
Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons does not have the authority to halt work on new permanent border control posts (BCPs), according to Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard.
Government plans to override parts of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland have passed their first hurdle in Parliament.
Pro-British loyalist militants in Northern Ireland said on Friday there had been a "spectacular collective failure" to understand their anger over Brexit and other issues as there was some respite in street clashes following a week of riots.
New plans for checks on goods entering Northern Ireland will require 'enhanced facilities'
28/12/2022
The UK Government's plans for red and green lanes for checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK will require the construction of "enhanced facilities" at ports, a minister has said.
Next PM must face reality that NI Protocol is here to stay, Sinn Fein's Michelle O’Neill warns
09/07/2022
The Sinn Fein vice president said she has warned newly appointed Secretary of State for the region Shailesh Vara that the Government must stop “placating the DUP” and start being “even-handed” with Stormont’s political parties.
SF MLA says changes to withdrawal deal would drive ‘coach and horses’ through Belfast Agreement.
Edwin Poots' instruction to halt checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from GB was unlawful and taken for political reasons, the High Court has ruled.
Sinn Féin say they will veto a Stormont Executive move to make border checks unlawful as part of the NI Protocol.
A leaked cross-government study warning of the impact of a no-deal Brexit outlines a "worst-case scenario", cabinet minister Michael Gove has said.
Northern Ireland's Assembly will meet on Monday after a successful petition to recall members back to Stormont.
Naomi Long wins seat after trebling party’s vote, saying supporters want to remain in EU.
Pro-British loyalist militants in Northern Ireland said on Friday there had been a "spectacular collective failure" to understand their anger over Brexit and other issues as there was some respite in street clashes following a week of riots.
Operation Yellowhammer papers warn of food, fuel and medicine shortages if UK goes for no-deal Brexit
18/08/2019
Since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, the Government has announced it is spending an extra £2bn on no-deal contingency planning.
Unionists criticised for ‘incendiary’ rhetoric as dozens of officers injured in days of unrest.
The disturbance in a Loyalist area of the city on Friday evening followed four successive nights of disturbances in the unionist Waterside area of Londonderry.
Cold Feet star Jimmy Nesbitt will deliver the keynote address at the Ireland’s Future event in Dublin.
Political row breaks out over Brexit as transport firm Morgan McLernon confirms proposals to close Lurgan site with 500 jobs at risk
10/08/2023
After transport firm Morgan McLernon confirmed proposals to shut its Lurgan site, a political row has arisen between the DUP and anti-Brexit parties Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party.
DUP MP questions Boris Johnson’s plans after producing letter about preparations.
Mary Lou McDonald says there is a ‘growing demand’ for unity poll.
HELENSBURGH, Scotland (Reuters) - James Henderson has spent most of his life fiercely opposed to Scottish independence. Now, reluctantly he is backing it.
Sidestepping agreement on Northern Ireland could put trade deal with US at risk, Johnson warned
23/02/2020
Ministers ‘must not be allowed to sidestep their responsibilities,’ says Sinn Fein MP.
Sinn Fein open to Westminster electoral pact with other pro-Remain parties to challenge the DUP, says O'Neill
05/09/2019
Sinn Fein has signalled a willingness to co-operate with other pro-Remain parties to challenge DUP Brexiteer candidates if a general election is called.
It emerged today that the party has placed adverts, calling for a United Ireland referendum, in a number of prominent American newspapers.
SDLP also promises to give other remain parties clear run against DUP in general election.
Ireland will be united “within a generation” as Brexit speeds up calls for a border poll, the vice-president of Sinn Fein said today.
The status of Brexit checks at Northern Ireland ports remained unclear on Thursday morning after a deadline passed for a ministerial order to halt them.
The DUP is boycotting devolution as part of its protest against Brexit’s Northern Ireland Protocol.
The Stormont assembly has joined the Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly in rejecting Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.
Students risk becoming Brexit's 'collateral damage' as tuition fee hikes and reduction in university places are considered on back of Brussels funding cut
14/01/2022
Increases in university fees of almost 60 per cent are be considered by the Department for the Economy.
Tale of two Protocols as talks between Foreign Secretary and political parties break down [3 mins]
11/01/2023
It was a tale of two protocols as talks between Northern Ireland's political parties and the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly broke down when nationalist parties withdrew.
Boris Johnson’s plans to shred the Northern Ireland protocol have no basis in law, economics or diplomacy.
As Brexit looms, nationalists in Northern Ireland are increasingly looking to Dublin for representation. Now, as Ben Kelly explains, political parties are responding in new, innovative ways.
The UK’s plan to rip up Brexit trade rules slammed for being in ‘clear breach’ of international law
14/06/2022
The U.K. government has pushed ahead with controversial plans to unilaterally override post-Brexit trade rules, ratcheting up the risk of a trade war as the European Union prepares to take retaliatory legal action.
Those who campaigned to 'take back control' did not appreciate Brexit might give more power to those seeking Irish unity
03/02/2024
The new first minister represents a party that does not acknowledge Northern Ireland's six counties as separate from the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. The historic moment has huge implications, David Blevins writes.
Truss urged to step back from brink in explosive Brexit spat with Brussels over Northern Ireland
12/05/2022
Tearing up Northern Ireland protocol ‘will spark trade war, drive up inflation and damage UK influence’, warns senior Tory MP.
"..the goalposts continuously seem to change from the perspective of David Frost’s negotiation strategy and I think now that we’re seeing the goalposts shift once more."
The Sinn Fein president said preparations for a referendum on Irish unity should begin.
Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said suspending the Northern Ireland Protocol could endanger the entire withdrawal agreement.
UK PM Boris Johnson rips up Brexit Protocol
15/06/2022
Legislation has been published by the British government this evening which overrides the post-Brexit trade arrangements for Ireland and severely breaches both the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and international law.
UNELECTED UK Government minister Malcolm Offord has insisted the Tories have not conned the public over Brexit.
Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister said ‘for Edwin Poots to take any unilateral action would be unlawful’.
Assembly hears of plans for customs posts at NI ports, setting the cat among the pigeons.
EU-UK deal means border posts to be created at Northern Ireland ports, says SF Minister.
Northern Ireland’s second-biggest political party says it will block the formation of a working Belfast legislature, deepening political deadlock over post-Brexit trade rules.
The impact of the UK’s departure from the EU and the continuing tensions over the Northern Ireland protocol have reinforced the concept of a united Ireland for many.
A bipartisan US congressional delegation is due to meet Irish premier Micheal Martin in Dublin.
Mary Lou McDonald has urged Northern Ireland's voters to back pro-remain candidates in the European election. / The Sinn Féin president called for her party's candidate, Martina Anderson, to be given the number one preference, before transferring to "pro-remain, progressive candidates".
Academics hold up Brexit as an example of the dangers of voting on an abstract concept.
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator has warned that Brussels will not give in to threats and blackmail, as the furious row over the Northern Irish border took a step closer towards a trade war.
Republican and pro-remain parties in Northern Ireland announced an electoral pact of sorts on Monday morning that will probably end up costing the DUP seats.
Fresh from scandals and an attempted ousting, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest plan is to tear up key parts of a post-Brexit agreement on Northern Ireland he made himself less than three years ago.
Republican sentiment is rising over fears that Brexit will tank the economy, but Northern Ireland’s unionists won’t go quietly.
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