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Updated 5.30pm
EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT Donald Tusk has said that if the UK’s Brexit offer is unacceptable to Ireland, it will be unacceptable to Europe.
The EU chief visited Dublin today for talks with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ahead of the EU summit, which he will chair, with the other 27 member States.
During a press conference this afternoon, Tusk said Ireland will be consulted on any offer put forward by the UK to deal with phase one issues – which include citizen’s rights, the Brexit bill and the border with Northern Ireland.
He said such news will be “hard” for some British politicians to understand, but he said Ireland’s interests are Europe’s interests.
“If the UK offer is unacceptable for Ireland, it will also be unacceptable to Europe,” said Tusk.
Varadkar thanked Tusk for his unwavering support and solidarity with Ireland.
Before the talks can progress to phase two trade talks the UK must make sufficient progress on the issues, including how it aims to avoid a hard border with Northern Ireland.
While Varadkar said there has been progress made on EU citizen rights and the financial settlement, questions still hang over the border issue.
“The best and most obvious solution” would be for the UK to remain in the Customs Union and the Single Market said the Taoiseach, but he acknowledged that this had been ruled out by Theresa May’s government.
Time is running out
He said the onus was now on them to offer “credible” and “workable” solutions to prevent a hard border.
“The period between now and the European Council meeting in two weeks time will be crucial. Indeed the next few days will be crucial. So we don’t have long,” said Varadkar.
He added that with the right engagement, and being an optimist by nature, a solution is achievable.
While he said he is willing to work intensively on the issue over the next few days, the Taoiseach is also willing to “stand firm” with Ireland’s European partners if the UK offer “falls short” on any of the three phase one issues.
Earlier today, the Tánasite and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said he wants to avoid the Brexit debate becoming an “orange versus green” issue in Northern Ireland.
Former DUP leader Peter Robinson has accused the Irish Government of acting provocatively in the negotiations and said the South should “wind its neck in”.
Yesterday, British media reported that the DUP threatened to withdraw from the confidence and supply arrangement that is propping up the British Government over the Irish border issue.
Just one day into the job as Tánaiste, Coveney confirmed that he has talked to the DUP about the issues.
However, he said the Brexit border talks are not a “green and orange” issue and have nothing to do with any clandestine attempt by the Republic to take back Northern Ireland.
“I have tried and I continue to try to avoid this debate becoming a green versus orange issue in Northern Ireland – it is very hard to prevent that given the language we have heard, but our approach here is to listen to everybody.
“No one party has a monopoly in Northern Ireland in the context of what is acceptable and what is not,” said Coveney.
The minister said the Irish government will work with all parties to find a practical way forward, adding that he wanted to give assurances to the unionist communities in the North.
Reassuring the unionists
“I can assure unionists that this is not some sort of tactic by the Irish government to progress some sort of constitutional change on the island of Ireland – quite the opposite.
“In fact what we want is to protect the status quo in terms of improving relations with unionists and nationalist communities both in Northern Ireland and on border communities, north and south, that is what we are interested in and nothing else,” said Coveney, adding:
I am not going to get drawn into responding to comments by the DUP. We will listen to what everyone has to say in Northern Ireland regardless of where they come from, regardless of their community or their political party. The decisions we are trying to ensure are taken in terms of Brexit need to be in the interest of everybody on the island of Ireland.
The Tánaiste said a Brexit deal on the Irish border question is “doable” but he said before that is possible there must be more movement and flexibility than has been seen to date.
However he acknowledged that he believes “we can get to where we need to be in the next few days”.
Christina Finn / TwitterCoveney says Ireland will be stubborn but fair in Brexit talks pic.twitter.com/h8xcprQIM6
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) December 1, 2017
The Irish government’s position on Brexit is “stern and stubborn” but is fair, said Coveney, but he said he can not allow Brexit to drive communities apart.
Coveney said the question of whether Ireland will use its veto to prevent the talks progressing to the next phase misses the point – stating that all the EU27 are behind Ireland’s position.
“There is not an anti-British bone in my body – Britain is a great country and we want a good deal. A good deal for Britain is a good deal for us, but Ireland will not be steamrolled in this issue,” he said.
On the border issue, Coveney said it is part of phase one and the UK has put nothing on the table in terms of a customs union.
“I don’t mind what we call this, we can call it a customs union partnership, we can call it a grand trade partnership, whatever we want to call it – but the bottom line is if goods are going to have to move from one customs union to another then there will have to be customs checks somewhere, whether it is in a business premises or a borer, and we are trying to avoid that. I think we can avoid that in the context of the negotiations in phase two, I hope – but that is for a future date,” said Coveney.
Next election?
In terms of other issues that dominated the headlines this week, and whether the confidence and supply agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has been damaged, Coveney appears to believe it is stable.
Coveney said the confidence and supply arrangement is “robust” and he doesn’t agree that an election in the spring is inevitable.
The new Tánaiste went so far as to claim the agreement with Fianna Fáil can last until the next budget.
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“Wants to avoid and orange vs green bitterness”
Well it’s a bit late for that, isn’t it? Britain knew what they were doing when they decided to break the GFA. Now they expect the Irish to keep a lid on the results of their actions.
@Veronica: where in GFA us EU membership mentioned??
@Veronica: The border is being insisted on by the EU. The UK will walk away iif anyone attempts to halt Brexit. Ireland will loose the Comman Travel Area because of EU stupidity. The EU do not care about Ireland.
@frank murphy: oh it matters to you Diarmuid when your kit and kin can get parading down the Garvaghy or past the Ardoyne shops.I could fill my fountain with your tears about the GFA.
@Danny foley: Why don’t you mind your own business ?
@Danny foley: Danny the UK are putting back the border by leaving the EU. It is the UK that doesn’t want freedom of movement, it is the UK that doesn’t want a Customs Union or a Single Market. So how do you think that they can control the movement people and goods with an open border with the EU, do tell? The Majority of people in NI voted to remain in the EU yet their wishes are being utterly ignored by the UK Government. If put to the vote I hazard a guess that a Sea Border with NI staying in the Customs Union and Single Market would get a majority in NI. The only party in NI that is in favour of Brexit is the DUP. Not one other single party in NI was or is.
@Paul: In the third paragraph of British-Irish Agreement part of the GFA EU membership is mentioned. “develop still further the unique relationship between their peoples and the close co-operation between their countries as friendly neighbours and as partners in the European Union.”
@frank murphy: “The world does not revolve around the GFA.” the Good Friday agreement is international law, so technically the world does revolve it and similar laws. They might not care about it, but we do, and we have a veto on starting trade talks.
@Veronica: the GFA seems inconsistent with the brexit referendum. What do you do, tell millions of leave voters to stuff it. The GFA agreement has been overtaken by events and needs amendment?
@newbie: coveney can’t even arrange a few thousand council houses per annum FFS
@Mick Jordan: So many words used to write so much nonsense.
@Misanthrope: You don’t seem to understand how agreements work.
@WinSomeLoseSome: mmmm
@WinSomeLoseSome: there are occasions where they pass their sell by date due to unforeseeable events.
@Misanthrope: again, you dont not understand how agreements work
Coveney representing us does not fill me with confidence. Incompetent lying failure.
@WinSomeLoseSome: He cracks me up, maybe events have overtaken the Northern States of the USA and the Southern rednecks want recognition once more as a political force with the return of the Mason-Dixon line. Lincoln refused to recognize the confederates as a political entity and therefore rejected their proposed treaty that would undermine the future of the USA as it now exists. The Unionists are faced with supporting the Tories or being obliterated by Labour so that is one helluva spot they found themselves in but give them a few months with their British colleagues to think things through while being the centre of attention.
@Padraic Reid: In your opinion. And opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one.
@Danny foley: __ Spouting nonsense seems to be your specialist subject.
it took 800 years but we have them by the b**s!!
@Danny foley: What’s so good about the CTA? O’Leary’s flying buses require ID. The Ireland act of 1949 in the UK means Irish people can live and work there without any visa issues. We could finally join Schengen II and not wait 30 mins in European passport control.
@Danny foley: “The EU do not care about Ireland.” Tusk’s statement today is the strongest (pro-Ireland) statement I’ve seen in 17 months.
@Glenn O’hAilpín: Theresa May doesn’t have any balls….
@Mick Jordan: excellent point and very well made.
@Misanthrope: correct coveney/fine gael don’t give a damn about their own people here, it is the eu who’s their priority now.
@joe oneill: grow up
@Mick Jordan: It’s actually very simple end the common travel area with the republic & the UK simply stops issuing National Insurance numbers to non UK passport holders & makes it illegal for Non nationals to access basic services such as Education, healthcare, Benefits etc It’s not rocket science & add to that simply ban travel for Non nationals originating from Air & Sea Ports in Northern Ireland. Then we have the issue of security close east to west Airspace between the republic & the UK so that we can maintain security from Russian type security threats (We can just shoot terrorists etc down over the Irish sea as the threat enters UK airspace). All Irish flights would simply go around the South Western tip of the UK & be treated as EU traffic straight into London out of the way of RAF traffic over Wales. I’m sure they will do non of the above but it could be done very easily & solve all the issues at the minimal cost.
Well it’s nice to see fine gael finally come around to Sinn Feins position
“The people of this island, whether urban or rural, from whatever background or tradition, share a common history and our futures are bound together. We need reminded again and again that our flag is Orange.
Orange as well as green. Orange is part of what we are.
That is our potential.
And our challenge.
To unite Orange and Green in equality and mutual respect.” – Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Fein
@The Risen:
‘Well it’s nice to see fine gael finally come around to Sinn Feins position’
Grasping at straws there a little. But I suppose if thats all there is to grasp at you need to take every opportunity.
@frank murphy: going by voting patterns and census figures you will have an opportunity to vote for a FG/DUP coalition ,Diarmuid in your constituency of Est Belfast in the next 10 to 15 years.
@The Risen: I agree wth your words but don’t you think sinn fein are toxic to unionists?
@The Risen: I agree, we need to show understanding and empathy if things are ever to move forward…
@Nick Allen: it was SF who originally proposed special status for the north, a proposal that was rejected by FF/FG at the time, they came around to the idea when they realised it was the best possible solution for all sides.
@The Risen: Brendan i almost spit out my Ovaltine there – so SF (take for example Gerry Kelly’s election literature in Belfast) have been responsible along with the DUP of dividing hte six counties into a sectarian headcount and now you’re singing Kombaya?
@Mr Phil Officer: ” it was SF who originally proposed special status for the north, a proposal that was rejected by FF/FG at the time”
Link please to this utter nonsense?
@Brinster: https://youtu.be/vio9rVMMfkA
Post your own link and prove me wrong…
@The Risen: … build s wall from Donegal to Dundalk. .. that the trump solution to it …
@Mill Miller: Exactly
@The Risen:Have SF favourit word is no no no no to everything dont lecture us
@Gerard Ahern: ‘Have SF favourit’? Jesus Gerry, did you type that with your forehead?
@The Risen: Queens English!
@Niall Quinlan: Interesting fact: The average Irish person speaks better English than the average English person.
@Unconvertible Rebel: Innit mate.
@Niall Quinlan: No. It’s Ulster Scots.
@Mr Phil Officer: Shinnerbot caught lying, posts link to Slipknot video.
Standard.
Here’s an FG politician calling for special status for NI over a year ago.
http://www.newstalk.com/Fine-Gael-MEP-calls-for-special-Northern-Ireland-deal-on-Brexit
Shinnerbots gonna lie.
It’s a sign a good deal for the Irish government is on the table when people like Ian Paisley yesterday and Peter Robinson (when was he last in the media) are wheeled out for these comments, they seem anxious about something
@Cathal O’hÁodhagáin: they would rather be broke poor unionists than to stay in the economically beneficial common market.
@Mr Phil Officer: But the DUP won’t tolerate any differentiation from Wales Scotland and England , only in terms of Equal Marriage, Abortion, Corporation Tax …………
Well with leo refering to simon yesterday as the “deputy prime minister” it would make you wonder if FG really have any clue what they are talking about.
When was the titles changed in Dáil Éireann?
@Trevor Hayden:
The title hasn’t changes, he was just saying it in a different language
@Trevor Hayden: When the west Brit became prime minister,
@Pat Price: I’m sure his ancestors in the British raj will be so proud of him. NOT.
Shoe shine, sir?
@Trevor Hayden: Leo Varadkar was communicating in English and not in Irish. Slobbering in Irish does not make a person a better Irish citizen.
@Sam Alexander: In respect to the Dáil he should use proper rhetoric.
@Trevor Hayden: If you listened he did say Tanaiste first. The Deputy Prime Minister bit was for the UK Media and their viewers and readers. The vast majority of which would have no clue who or what Tanaiste means. This is a clever strategy. Everything to do with Brexit coming from Ireland or the Rest of the EU is scrutinized by the UK media.
@Sam Alexander: Saying someone slobbers when they speak in Irish does not say much about you.
Wouldn’t staying in the common market be in the best economic interests of unionists, they could have the best of both worlds. The DUP would rather cut their noses off in spite, unionism at any cost.
The Brits knew exactly what they were doing.
They do NOT want the North of Ireland and they are hoping a referendum on a united Ireland is going to happen soon.THEY WANT OUT and I can’t say I blame them one bit.
Those bigoted DUP and their hateful king Billy clan have been ripping off the British taxpayer for years.If you want to be British go and get the boat across from OUR island and live the rest of your hateful life where you THINK you are from ok.Roll on a UNITED IRELAND.
@gerry fallon: I actually feel sorry for anyone living in the north and having to listen to those absolute spiteful, horrible, bitter shower of fools. My blood is boiling the past few days listening to them. Let them threaten all they want to pull out of the arrangement with the Tories, all the better, Corbyn will get in and won’t let Labour be held to ransom by those backward clowns.
@Waters Edge: it’s nice to read common sense here. Completely agree.
@gerry fallon: everything you say is probably the truth Gerry but the reality is there will never be a united ireland with out the consent of the unionist, and telling people get out of there own homes and move to England is not very helpful, it’s about equality and working together and demonstrating to the unionists community that we are better united but respecting their identity under a united ireland.
@Casper: Casper I really only meant my comments for the ones who are so entrenched in their hatred and are beyond change.
I’m fully sure just like in other parts of our Island there are lovely protestant people living very happy here with no sectarian hatred in their hearts.
@gerry fallon: I wonder how much power do the DUP have if tomorrow SF, perhaps under a new leader, turn up in Westminster? Interesting times!
When you see that picture of Coveney and Varadkar together it just reminds us all the extent of the utter lack of talent and know how we have in the political system here in Ireland. Embarrassing.
@Horace: Not really. They seem very competent. In my opinion. *cue hatred and disbelief.
@Michael Flanagan: Between them they
held minister positions in defence, social protection, health, transport and housing to name a few. Can you tell me what they achieved during these to make you believe that they are competent?
@Michael Flanagan: I don’t agree with their politics, but I believe them to be competent politicians.
@White Rabbit: I don’t agree with their politics. And I don’t believe them to be competent. If they were competent FG wouldn’t have their party dragged through the mud this past few weeks. If they were competent, then they would have competently have dealt with Fitzgerald weeks ago. If they are competent they would also deal with Flanagan. If competent they should not have to rely on spin. If they were competent then they wouldn’t have failed in health, housing etc.
They are not competent.
Say what you want. Leo has played this beautifully.
What’s the difference between an Apple and an orange?
Well I’ve never met an Apple b**tard
Of course it’s an orange and green issue. Foster and the DUP are petrified they are going to be the sacrificial lamb. They are Irish and no matter how often they tell British people that they are Britons too, real British people want nothing to do with them. A financial settlement to iron out the financial implications of them coming into the republic as full citizens.
@Dave Phelan: I have an interesting proposition – make every member of the DUP take a DNA test to see how British they really are. I took a DNA test last year and I’m dead certain that I can out-Brit every last one of them!
Given Leo and Simons complete lack of good judgement and leadership during the Frances Fitzgerald debacle, I cannot say that I am overconfident in their ability to get a good deal for Ireland. That’s even with the supposition that they are putting Ireland ahead of Europe.
@Unconvertible Rebel: hardened politicians would have thrown her on the bonfire the moment the pitchfork wielding mob called for it.
Green is a primary colour..What more can I say..?
Our government should be more concerned about the good Friday agreement and retaining it
Less than 350000 people in the North voted to leave the EU yet the DUP think they have a mandate to tear this island apart yet again just to show us all they are not Irish. Jog on boys.
When guys like the SKY news political correspondent think that Sinn Fein are propping up a minority government, the same way the DUP are, what hope is there. Even their “experts” are idiots.
Here’s the quote: “A UK minority Government supported by the DUP and an Irish minority Government supported by Sinn Fein, with no devolution at Stormont, during fraught Brexit talks, is quite the constitutional mire.” — Faisal Islam
London should not be allowed to bring the GFA into the next phase as a bargaining chip in order to get their free trade deal.
The DUP are involved, so for them, it’s always orange versus green.
Thats some head on Arlene in that pic, I’ve never met a fishwife, but if I did…..
What would happen if the roles were reversed? What breaks would the UK and the DUP give us? Zat ist ze question.
God, could he be any wetter…? Grow a pair.. You don’t have to explain yourself for putting your country’s interests first. It’s your job.
It’s appeared up to now that the Irish tactic was to wait until progress had been made on the other areas of the negotiations and then make demands which, if acceded to, would bring down the UK government and any hope of a brexit deal and would end in a hard border. If not acceded to it would result in a veto losing any hope of a brexit deal and making a hard border equally inevitable.
But now Coveney seems to think it’s all about, movement, flexibility and dialogue.
What was all the “You created this issue, you fix it!?!11one!” rhetoric about a few weeks ago?
@Damocles: so Ireland should just grin and bare it and not act in its own interests, it is the UK’s decision to leave.
@Mr Phil Officer: Don’t mind that fella, like many Brexiteers he plays out ‘game of thrones’ scenarios in his head so is oblivious to what is in front of him. It will probably all stall until early next year to allow the DUP to show themselves as being the obstacle to trade progress. Let the EU come to experience what a Unionist ‘No’ means for a change.
@Mr Phil Officer: of course Ireland should act in its own interests and of course this can be best achieved by dialogue and flexibility rather than issuing demands and threatening vetoes while going “You caused this, you fix it!”. I’m glad, of course, that Coveney is forging a path into Statesmanship. But at the same time I’m rather aghast at the volte face. He’s even talking about customs checks in places of business. That was part of the UK proposals which were rubbished as magical. One wonders if the EU have proposed a slight tempering of emotions.
@Damocles: so Ireland should sit back say nothing and hope for the best even though the Brexit has the potential to be ruinous for the country.
Use the veto Leo that’s what it’s for.
@Mr Phil Officer: that wasn’t what I was suggesting at all. And I think you know it wasn’t.
@Damocles: the UK had 18 months to propose a concrete solution yet here we are at the last minute and we still have no idea what is going to happen, as has been well documented the UK public, media and politicians have shown they haven’t a clue or care about Ireland and the repercussions of the Brexit on our economy, we need to look after our own interests.
@Mr Phil Officer: it’s like I write one thing and you read something completely different. Bizarre
@Damocles: No. What’s bizarre is you not realising that it was the British who made this mess and that they’re the ones who should be made to clean up after themselves.
Leo maybe u should be more pro active in finding a solution, after all a no deal end will have one in place…
@Paul: If the UK walk away with no deal then Ireland is in big big trouble. Ireland can only help herself we are on our own and no EU gives a toss about us.
@Danny foley: The EU (just like with the banking deal with us) are going to use the UK as an example of what happens when you dare stand up to it. Unfortunately we haven’t got politicians with the guts to stand up to them and threaten to walk away ourselves if things don’t go our way. Not even a mention or hint of Irexit from them because they are completely in the pockets of the EU establishment.
The mandarins v brussel sprouts…………………..”
@Rachel Didleu: I love Sprouts & also anything that is Naturally Green,.. Orange’s even become Green at stages of decomposition…
BTW.. Why the funk are they called Brussels.. ( seriously ).
The solution is simple. Let the UK leave the EU but stay in the customs union and single market.
All parties including DUP will be happy. N/S trade will continue as before and E/W trade the same. The UK will still be honouring the Brexit vote which never was intended to include leaving the single market and the customs union.
It’s a win win!!
@Rory Hayes:
@Rory Hayes: only probkem there is the Teresa Maye and co dont want to stay in any part of the EU
For once in international politics Ireland has a key part to play. I would like to hope Leo and co doesnt make a mess of this and lose the opportunity.
Unfortunately we recently saw the worthlessness of Leos leadership qualities :(
Tanaiste doesn’t care, he’s just throwing out sound bites, laughing all the way to the bank. He didn’t care much when he was in housing. Promotion is the price for incompetence in this symbolic gov.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I can’t remember the UK saying it’s wants any change to the status quo of the border. This all looks like posturing over fresh air.
Did not even make top five on BBC news.
@Rory: Royal wedding planning dominating the headlines, is ideal for burying bad news.
They’ll do anything to whip up meeja hysteria. Build a wall.
Bull they will drop us like a hot brick once they have what they want , using Ireland as a lever that’s all.
The days of the British “establishment “putting Ireland down are over ok.
If they think for one minute they are going to impose a border again on this Island of Ireland they are mistaken.
Too much is at stake taffy,like peace, that we worked so hard for and the removal of terrorists on both sides.
It just goes to show you that the British still don’t get it.
@gerry fallon: Go buy your own defense equipment then & stop expecting the RAF to be up there when the next Hijacked plane is heading Irelands way
There is a certain element of narcissism in the government’s expectation that northern unionists should agree to leaving NI outside the UK border because it suits us. Most northerners want EU membership and want free trade in the context of brexit but understandably won’t tolerate the idea of weakening the union to achieve it. The majority pro EU vote is not a proxy for that
If the North are allowed to remain in the SM or CU then Scotland with an even bigger majority against Brexit will want special treatment too and this is never going to be acceptable to London.
More of a black and white issue really
Threats by the DUP bringing down the Conservative Government ring hollow. If they did then Labour will take power and that would be a disaster for Northern Unionists. Labour wouldn’t think twice about cutting NI loose if it meant cutting a trade deal with the EU. The needs of the many out weighs the needs of a tiny minority. To Foster and gang can huff and puff in public but they won’t jeopardize the position they hold now. Cause a UK election that Labour win and the UUP will point the finger of blame directly at the DUP.
It’s obstruction all the way for Arlene and DUP . The ship is sinking and for the first time in her life she realises that the British people don’t care one jot about the Irish . Sadly she is coming to realise that she is Irish not British and she and the DUP can’t get their heads around that. Compromise, accept the white flag of peace with the orange on one side and the green on the other.
Britain could put our national debt on the table, whats an extra 5 Bill!
Thoughts on needing more than Brexit for a United Ireland
Also how Leo and Simon Coveney can muster votes at hoem and bounce from from Francis Fitzgerald by continuing hard line…
Just catching up on the news after the toy show. Don’t like there politics but Leo/Coveney are playing a blinder here.
Great offer from the EU…tit for tat…they support us…they expect us to support their tax harmonization rulings…win-win it seems.
Sometimes I think the Tories want to make a mess with Brexit in order to find a way back into the EU again or they are that arrogant and dopey they can’t tell the difference in fact or fiction?
In God We Tusk : Money talks bull dust walks .
The North is doomed, their funding every year from the EU will be switched off, the U.K. will do the same, it has no interest in it and trade from the south will disappear but Arlene and her crew will solider on instead of creating solutions for the good of the population.
Sounds like green talk to me..
.
We in South are stay In Europe so it’s up to UK to sort out North Ireland, to satisfactory to southern Ireland an Europe.
If the Brits offer The DUP MP’s rates they could buy a 100 TD’s for 10 billion much better than paying 50/60 billion to the EU !!!
€£€£€£€£€£€£€£,,,,,,,,,it’s all about the money,,,,, €£€£€£€£€£€£€£ did you no there’s been more millionaires made through politics than any one winning the Euro millions in Ireland,,,,,I’m convinced i need new direction,,,,Bull’s hit really pays dividends.
If you believe brexit will happen you believe in unicorns
Ireland be careful what you wish for common EU tax and welfare ..Germany’s European politics must change,” Mr Schulz, a former president of the European parliament, told the magazine.
“A positive response to Emmanuel Macron will be a key demand in any negotiation with the SPD.”
He also called for common EU tax and welfare policies. “We need a fresh start in the EU,” he said.
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