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AP Photo/Michael Probst

Could EU fiscal treaty go through with just 12 states on board?

Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal team says it has seen a draft of treaty.

A NEWS SERVICE managed by Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal is claiming that the EU fiscal treaty will only need 12 member states to sign up for it to come into force.

DJ FX Trader says that it has seen a draft of the fiscal treaty. The service tweeted this:

The draft of the treaty DJ FX Trader says it has seen (refer to tweet below) apparently confirms reports earlier this week that any future bailouts given by the EU will be conditional on whether the country applying for it has signed up to the fiscal agreement. A permanent EU rescue fund has been earmarked for July this year. The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) will incorporate the existing European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), which issues bonds, and the European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM), funded by the European Commission.

It is believed that Ireland’s existing bailout funds will not be affected by any decision relating to ratifying the fiscal treaty.

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23 Comments
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    Mute Blackwater
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:10 AM

    Just give it back. It’s not yours! Your Empire days are over!

    325
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    Mute Richard Keogh
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:24 AM

    @Blackwater: It’s not Britain’s to give back, it belongs to the people of Gibraltar who overwhelmingly wish to remain as part of the UK. Are you suggesting that they should be forced to join Spain against their will? I take it you also support Spain returning Melilla and Cueta to Morocco, or are you just an Anglophobe?

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    Mute Daniel Wilson
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:24 AM

    @Blackwater: try telling the locals that

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    Mute Darragh O'Connell
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:25 AM

    And Spain should return Ceuta and Melilla.

    41
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    Mute Peter Dwyer
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:42 AM

    I’d say the majority of Spanish people living there in the 18th century when the brits were gifted the territory overwhelmingly wished to remain a part of Spain. What do you think happened to them once the brits came to town. So don’t give me the poor people of Gibraltar crap

    66
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:55 AM

    @Blackwater: rubbish, who are you to say this! Gib will always remain British UNLESS the residents vote otherwise! Same thing applies to Northern Ireland and get that anti British chip off your shoulder buddy.

    49
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:56 AM

    @Richard Keogh: Blackwater lives in their own little world

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    Mute Piotrek Król
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:03 AM

    @Peter Dwyer:

    Oh dear. You are aware that the world’s borders in the 1700′s were nothing like what they are now ya? European Nationalities and ethnic groups have been pushed and pulled from empire to empire, country to country with the stroke of a pen…forever.

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    Mute Mark Gearey
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:10 AM

    @Piotrek Król: That’s no kind of refutation. Point is if it would be unfair on the Brits there now to give it back, it was unfair on the Spanish there when it was taken.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:11 AM

    @Blackwater: and give America and Australia back to the natives while you’re on a roll.

    30
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:13 AM

    @Peter Dwyer: thats 200 years ago what?

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    Mute Ben McArthur
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:48 AM

    And in a couple of weeks, the same people telling Britain to “give back” Gibraltar will be just as loudly arguing for self determination for Catalunya.

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    Mute brian magee
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    Apr 5th 2017, 9:16 AM

    @Richard Keogh: they overwhelmingly want to remain in the EU 96% voted remain.

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    Mute Piotrek Król
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    Apr 5th 2017, 9:28 AM

    @Mark Gearey:

    Of course it was unfair on the Spanish, but it was 300 years ago so it’s completely irrelevant as 90+% of the current people of Gibraltar associate with Britain, not Spain. Do you get it?

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    Mute brian magee
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    Apr 5th 2017, 9:48 AM

    @Piotrek Król: 96% want to stay in the EU there lies the problem

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    Mute Piotrek Król
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    Apr 5th 2017, 11:45 AM

    @brian magee:

    If there was a vote in the morning, Gibraltarians would have to choose whether to stay with Britain, or to leave and go with the EU. Yes, 96% voted to stay (in the Brexit referendum), but in 2002, 98% rejected shared sovereignty with Spain. They might shortly find out if they can keep their cake or if they will have to eat it.

    The REAL problem is the Brits want Gibraltar and the Spanish want Gibraltar, not what the people of Gibraltar want.

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    Mute David Conroy
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    Apr 5th 2017, 12:11 PM

    @Richard Keogh: Not to mention the Canary Islands !

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Apr 5th 2017, 5:52 PM

    If Spain don’t get Gibraltar back will they go looking for Portugal next?

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    Mute Rhys Mc Quillan
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    Apr 5th 2017, 11:26 PM

    @Richard Keogh: Did you read the article at all?

    “Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU by a margin of 96%.”

    1
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    Mute paddy
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:18 AM

    Let the Spaniards remove free medical from the 100,000 brits living in Spain and reimpose passport controls on the millions of Brits holidaying there. They won’t be long throwing Gib under the bus. Hilarious Tory willy waving!

    193
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    Mute Simon
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:25 AM

    @paddy: That won’t be good news for EU citizens living in the UK. Theresa May won’t take that lying down.

    37
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    Mute paddy
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:28 AM

    @Simon: more of us. More spending power. And those numptys in Tyrone and Armagh haven’t gone away. And already, a senior Tory is sabre rattling. Wtf? They haven’t a clue what they’re doing. Seriously. Their heads are full of past glories.

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    Mute Lord Clanricarde
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:34 AM

    @Simon: Yes she will, she will lie down and take it. She needs those Europeans so much more than Europe needs those Brits.

    27
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:59 AM

    @paddy: sorry buddy as much as you would love that to happen the Spanish would never do that, expats both British and IRISH too
    bring millions into their basketcase economy.

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:18 AM

    @paddy: dont forget the Spaniards who work in the UK too. They send money home to keep their relatives from poverty. . One thing for sure is that the British will never give up Gib.

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    Mute paddy
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:27 AM

    @Gus Sheridan: but it’s not a tricolour flying over the Rock and all I’m saying is that Spain has skin in this game too. There was a time when it took at least 5 hours to cross from Spain into the Rock. My issue is really with stupid Tories

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    Mute Jho Harris
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:55 AM

    @paddy: It is typical that Spain has a say about what Britain does about Gibraltar and here in Ireland will have our European masters decide what goes on here. Disgraceful. Government we have been stuck with, no moral fibre in any of them but after Brian Cowan allowed them to dictate after we voted against their great plan all hope for us was lost.

    9
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    Mute lavbeer
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    Apr 5th 2017, 6:54 AM

    The border with Gibraltar is easily enforceable. It won’t be a big deal either way. Problem will be that many people live in Spain as Gibraltar is a kip of the highest order.

    128
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    Mute David Conroy
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    Apr 5th 2017, 12:16 PM

    @lavbeer: That was true 20 years ago, it was a sihthole. Millions have been pumped in to the economy in recent times and Gibralter is now a prosperous place with virtually no crime.

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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:05 AM

    I used to work with an ex British navy guy who was stationed on a nuclear submarine. Apparently that rock is largely hollow inside with all sorts of secret government sh!t going on. Anymore info than that was “classified” and he always refused to give us further details no matter how drunk we got him. He was a real diligent army bore but intriguing all the same when you see how badly they want to keep it.

    58
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    Mute paddy
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:08 AM

    @Tweed Cap: he’s also full of crap!

    87
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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:15 AM

    Dunno Pa

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    Mute Anthony Byrne
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:17 AM

    Many interesting people do have a bizarre ‘inside story ‘ which often turns out to be BS.

    19
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    Mute Andy K
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:42 AM

    @Tweed Cap: If it was true what he told you then he already said enough to get himself hanged. If he didnt tell you more it was a lie.

    9
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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:03 AM

    @Anthony Byrne:
    Especially where drink is involved!

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    Mute Mark Gearey
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:13 AM

    @Tweed Cap: Sounds like the thunderbirds.

    15
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    Mute Declan O'Neill
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:55 AM

    @Tweed Cap: Not sure about largely hollow but I have been there and there are certainly tunnels and rooms built into it, it’s even part of a tourist attraction.

    9
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    Mute Damocles
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    Apr 5th 2017, 9:23 AM

    @Declan O’Neill: Operation Tracer.

    1
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    Mute David Conroy
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    Apr 5th 2017, 12:22 PM

    @Tweed Cap: The tunnels are everywhere. I had the pleasure to spend 3 hours rummaging in the closed off WW2 tunnels and the restricted part is where munitions are stored to this day before being transported to conflict zones. Apparently, the low humidity and temperate climate is perfect for storing munitions. Most of the tunnels are open to the public as are some of the caves but getting access to the others is fascinating !

    1
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    Mute I invented the @
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    Apr 5th 2017, 6:53 AM

    Great breakfast synopsis Sean cheers!

    38
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    Mute Rathminder
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:11 AM

    They voted for Brexit and people now want to exit- from the UK!

    33
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    Mute cortisola
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    Apr 5th 2017, 10:49 AM

    @Rathminder: Gibraltar actually voted against Brexit as they live mostly on tax fraud so it will be harder for them when off EU…

    12
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    Mute canuckandgo
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:13 AM

    How is this news, one old fuddy duddy says something stupid and daft news outlets take it as government policy. This is a prime example of why there is a sector of our society has developed into state it is in, welcome to generation outraged.

    45
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    Mute Anthony Byrne
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:22 AM

    My guess is that absolutely nothing will change in the way Gibraltar ans conduct their business. At worse they may need to add a new field or two to a database screen at their passport control booth at the border.

    19
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    Mute Andy K
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:29 AM

    @Anthony Byrne: Everything will be more expensive. They have to import everything, and when free trade is over they will have to pay taxes.

    29
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    Mute Anthony Byrne
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:59 AM

    @Andy K: things getting more expensive is a given, Everywhere.

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:21 AM

    @Andy K: no they will be subsidised by the UK. Look guys, Britain will NEVER give the Rock back to the Spanish, get over it.

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    Mute Declan O'Neill
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:59 AM

    One word for Gibraltar: KIP

    18
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    Mute Damocles
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    Apr 5th 2017, 9:05 AM

    How did you manage to write this “explainer” without mentioning the Spanish incursion yesterday? You barely mention Spain at all. You don’t mention that Spain only got serious about moaning about Gib under Franco even. Perhaps you should write it again. Properly.

    17
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    Mute David Grey
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    Apr 5th 2017, 9:22 AM

    Storm in a Teapot!
    Britain PAID Spain for Gibraltar and it was signed over to the British- by the same logic Russia should be able to get Alaska back From the US!
    Spain are in the wrong here!

    If Spain forced 300,000 British pensioners to leave the frail Spanish economy would totally collapse , a boycott of Spain by British tourists would see Spain continuing to spiral towards chaos – the contagion could also see Deutsche Bank fall as it is barely keeping it’s head above water as it is!
    British tourism keeps Spain afloat, only an imbecile would do anything to destabilise this!

    19
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    Mute Manuel Mancilla Hurtado
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    Apr 5th 2017, 12:29 PM

    @David Grey: Do you really think our economy is exclusively based on your British tourism? I am agree is a good thing for Spanish economy but so faaarr pal of be our salvation. Really, I love England, such a big nation. I think a part of you (leave voters) are reeeeally wrong. I think you all (that half peasant part of UK) are addressing the country towards a cliff.

    11
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    Mute Manuel Mancilla Hurtado
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    Apr 5th 2017, 12:31 PM

    @David Grey: Do you really think our economy is exclusively based on your British tourism? I am agree is a good thing for Spanish economy but so faaarr pal of be our salvation. Really, I love England, such a big nation. I think a part of you (leave voters) are reeeeally wrong. I think you all (that peasant part of UK) are addressing the country towards a cliff.

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    Mute David Grey
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    Apr 5th 2017, 3:38 PM

    @Manuel Mancilla Hurtado:
    No I don’t think the Spanish economy is solely based on Tourism -but I do know the Spanish economy is not capable of taking a huge hit such as the property market collapse and lack of tourist revenue that would ensue!
    My opinion is not based on bias (I can’t stand the Tories)- it is based on economics!
    Conflict with Britain would push the Spanish economy over the top & over the fiscal cliff- the contagion effect would also affect Europe and Britain as a whole!
    This is all just posturing & rather stupid by both the Spanish and the British!
    Hopefully Scotland & Northern Ireland will gain Independence sometime because of the Brexit madness!

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    Mute Andy K
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    Apr 5th 2017, 7:28 AM

    Why not let them have a vote on it? If they have a Parliament then they probably will before brexit is complete.

    12
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Apr 5th 2017, 9:38 AM

    It was never yours to keep give it back to Spain and try looking after your own messed up Country.

    13
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    Mute Manuel Mancilla Hurtado
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    Apr 5th 2017, 12:38 PM

    @Donal Carey: My country is not messed anymore, what is messed is your country from several flanks. From Scotland which want to leave you (something normal as you lately behave as peasants), Belfast same way, and maybe even Welsh hahahh really shut up u all a bit, ok? Have that part of UK that vote to leave and is insulting Spain read a book? Is a nice thing to do, you can learn all kind of stuff. Try pal! read! live! lol

    2
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    Mute Colin Smith
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    Apr 5th 2017, 9:37 AM

    The biggest factor here, which has gone unnoticed is that Gibraltar is a defacto tax haven which currently operates with an open border with Spain, thanks to its UK connection. This will have far more bearing on negotiations than a 200 year old treaty and the naval dockyard.

    10
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:51 AM

    If Gibraltar doesn’t stay separate from Spain, where will Spaniards drive to in order to bank their black money?

    9
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    Mute Blind Faith
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:27 AM

    Now isn’t it time that the Queen of England and King Felipe of Spain, sat down over a nice cup of tea and some cucumber sandwiches, and sorted out this whole Gibraltar debacle, before someone does something stupid.

    13
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    Mute Ben McArthur
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    Apr 5th 2017, 8:46 AM

    @Blind Faith: The last time there was a King Philip and a Queen Elizabeth, it didn’t go well. Best tell Dingle to get ready for some more visitors.

    20
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    Mute Harry Whitehead
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    Apr 5th 2017, 1:59 PM

    @Blind Faith: No such thing as ‘the Queen of England’. There hasn’t been a Kingdom of England in over 300 years.

    1
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    Mute John Dillon
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    Apr 5th 2017, 4:57 PM

    Let the British fleet and the Spanish Armada fight it out. I just want all Spanish and English boats out of our valuable fishing waters!

    4
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Apr 5th 2017, 10:16 AM

    The Brexit Monkeys clearly have a fondness for Gibraltar’s monkeys.

    7
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    Mute Leitrim303
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    Apr 5th 2017, 10:10 AM

    Gibraltar should become its own country within the EU.

    2
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    Mute Manuel Mancilla Hurtado
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    Apr 5th 2017, 12:40 PM

    @Leitrim303: Of course, we can make of every region a country, or better of every city, no please wait, we could make a nation of every quarter in the city! lmao

    4
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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Apr 5th 2017, 11:17 AM

    The British will leave when the monkeys leave the rock!

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    Mute Tony Daly
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    Apr 5th 2017, 11:34 AM

    Stupid wars are triggered by jingoistic sabre rattling.

    Howard is a buffoon but it takes buffoons to light the fuses for wars.

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    Mute Harry Whitehead
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    Apr 5th 2017, 1:57 PM

    For god’s sake, this is getting ridiculous. Michael Howard – aka Tory has-been, figure of ridicule (look up Rory Bremner’s impersonations of him), somebody who nobody takes seriously anymore – gobbed off because the EU have behaved like hypocrites. That’s all that has happened. Yes, really.

    Yet people are acting as though Michael Howard’s braindarts are official announcements from HM Government. It’s an absolutely hysterical overreaction. The Journal’s getting as bad as the Grauniad – every brainfart from any rightwing crackpot put there (Melanie Philips, Katie Hopkins, etc) is being judged as though it represents the voice of the UK, and every Anglophobe out there is leaping aboard the bandwagon.

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