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'Ireland first': Donald Tusk says every EU leader 'wants to protect peace process and avoid hard border'

The President of the European Council said disrupting the peace process in Northern Ireland “must be avoided at all costs”.

TUSK 275_90539260 Leo Varadkar and Donald Tusk at Government Buildings today Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

DONALD TUSK HAS said that every European Union leader is dedicated to protecting the peace process in Northern Ireland and avoiding a hard border with the Republic.

The President of the European Council made the comments at a joint press conference with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today.

Tusk said he has spoken to all 27 EU leaders and each one told him their priorities regarding Brexit are “protecting the peace process and avoiding the hard border”.

“The EU stands by Ireland. This is a matter between the EU 27 and the UK, not Ireland and the UK.”

MerrionStreetNews / YouTube

Tusk added that while the UK’s democratic decision to leave the EU must be respected, so too must the democratically backed Good Friday Agreement – which was signed 20 years ago next month.

He said destabilising the peace process in Northern Ireland “must be avoided at all costs” and that it is up to the UK to put forward a “specific and realistic plan” to avoid a hard border.

Tusk also said that, while it is the prerogative of the UK to define what is in its best interests post-Brexit, the EU must do the same.

‘Not a beast’

In a lighter moment, Tusk opened his speech by referencing the recent bad weather, saying: “Let me assure you that I haven’t come to chill the air but rather to warm it up. I may be from the east but I am not a beast.”

Varadkar echoed Tusk’s sentiments about the border, saying the pair had an “extensive discussion over lunch” about Brexit.

He thanked Tusk for his “solid and sensible leadership on this issue” and the support the EU has shown Ireland in relation to our “unique concerns” about Brexit.

Varadkar said the European Single Market must be protected throughout the negotiations, adding that he wants “the transition period to be smooth”.

He said the EU wants a “deep, comprehensive and ambitious” relationship with the UK post-Brexit, noting the two must still work together on certain issues such as fighting terrorism and international crime.

Read: ‘Male celibates advise the Pope on what women really want, that is ludicrous’

Read: Government releases wording of what will replace the Eighth Amendment if referendum passes

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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:09 PM

    In all fairness, Donald couldn’t give a f, once the Irish taxpayer keeps paying the EU bondholders.

    225
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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:20 PM

    @Trevor Hayden: he’s on our side .. More than Boris and Rees-Mogg anyway

    187
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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:25 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw: Protecting EU interests Chucky.
    The more multinationals that create jobs here, the more the EU can screw us.
    Any sign of trouble would upset the “cash cow”
    Purely financial.

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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:29 PM

    @Trevor Hayden: ‘the more multinationals that create jobs here the more they can screw us’
    What does that even mean?
    Irish Eurosceptics are a strange breed

    70
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:30 PM

    @Trevor Hayden: yawn

    32
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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:36 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw: Chucky, our budgets have to be approved by Brussels.
    We are now merely a “sub contractor”, “leaseholder” of this country.
    Europe says jump, we say how high.
    If Brussels has the final say in our budgetary needs the obviously know how much all of the investments coming and going from the country is.
    So there you go, more multinationals, more for Europe.

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    Mute Ted Murray
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:46 PM

    @Trevor Hayden: ___ “Europe says jump, we say how high.” In amongst your cock and BS, you’re forgetting that there’s no high-jumping with regard to VRT.

    23
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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:52 PM

    @Ted Murray: Cock and BS TED, are you denying our budgets are not approved by Brussels?
    Or come October when leo stands on his soapbox and claims we have an extra 1bn for whatever cause, that it is not him who’s stating the extra windfall but a financial controller in Brussels?

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    Mute Joseph Rooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:50 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw:

    … He’s on our side. Just like his buddy who threatened to bomb Dublin if the Irish didn’t bend the knee.
    And of course, as always, the Irish did bend the knee.
    And we’ll be paying for it still in 2060.

    23
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    Mute David Sinclair
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:02 PM

    @Trevor Hayden:
    ‘In all fairness, Donald couldn’t give a f, once the Irish taxpayer keeps paying the EU bondholders’
    And let’s be honest here…neither could Leo.

    24
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    Mute Tomek Olo Łęcki
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:42 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw:it’s about time to visit doctor, if you think that he is on your side

    11
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    Mute David Sinclair
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:08 PM

    The EU wants to protest its Golden Goose, the Irish economy at all costs.
    Don’t be fooled, the EU elite club don’t give two phux about you.

    175
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    Mute Terry McClatchey
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:11 PM

    @David Sinclair: The EU is giving Ireland its full support on this issue.

    116
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    Mute Seamus Brady
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:14 PM

    @David Sinclair: the UK gives less of a f about Ireland than the EU does

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    Mute David Sinclair
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:19 PM

    @Terry McClatchey:
    The EU is worried Irish citizens might grow a pair of liathrodi and tell them where to go. Bet they’re glad they ave a puppet government in Fine Gael running the country all the same.

    77
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:32 PM

    @David Sinclair: ha! How’s your divine leader in Rome doing hiring the paedo scandals?

    21
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    Mute David Sinclair
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:36 PM

    @Deborah Behan:
    How’s your sister?

    40
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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:12 PM

    @David Sinclair: Do you exist Dave? Almost every time I read this sort of guff on the comments section the account no longer exists or is anonymous.
    I wonder why it is that these views are primarily promulgated by anonymous cowards.

    14
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    Mute David Sinclair
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:35 PM

    @Danny Rafferty:
    Sorry Danny, I don’t respond to troll accounts.

    13
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    Mute Joseph Rooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:51 PM

    @Danny Rafferty:

    You’re anonymous too.
    Danny Rafferty–what a stupid ID.

    10
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    Mute David Sinclair
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:23 PM

    @Joseph Rooney:
    Unbelievable the chancers you get on here some days Joseph.

    5
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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 11:31 PM

    @David Sinclair: You just did and confirmed my opinion that most people who post anonymously, like you, are intellectually challenged. Still, you seem to be able to spell or at least use the spellchecker, so at least you appear to be leading the losers.

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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 11:33 PM

    @Joseph Rooney: Factually incorrect. Again from a broken account. Are you Dave Joe?

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Mar 9th 2018, 8:13 AM

    @David Sinclair: they gave us a few aul roads though

    2
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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:30 PM

    I’m glad I live in Ireland, where the majority of people (80% to 90%) support being in the EU and the European project generally

    134
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    Mute Edward Keena
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:46 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw: yeah but a lot of the reason behind that is because of we don’t want be like the British.

    33
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    Mute Martin Critten
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:57 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw: the crazy thing is given the Euro and Italian debt the EU might not be around in 5 – 10 years time.

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    Mute Patricia Cooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:11 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw: give us a vote on exit and you be surprised

    47
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:18 PM

    @Martin Critten: Being hearing that line for 17 years and guess what, the Euro is still here and the EU more united than ever.

    38
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    Mute Patricia Cooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:25 PM

    @Mick Jordan: bull sh

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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:14 PM

    @Martin Critten: nor might the UK.

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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:16 PM

    @Patricia Cooney: I’d be surprised if your anonymous account ever posted something that wasn’t fantastical “Patricia”.

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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:30 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw: I’m wondering how that 80% to 90% would feel if they were paying as much as the Brits to be in the club rather than just taking it out as Ireland does. Historically we have always put the bowl out and the UK, Germany and France pay the bill. Down the road we might have to face the prospect of making good the shortfall and it will be interesting to see the percentages of EU love change when it comes out of the pockets of people on top of all the charges we picked up to pay for the banks debts. We are not at the top of the EU welfare list any more.

    17
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    Mute Joseph Rooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:53 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw:

    You’re glad you live in Ireland, where ALL the media–press, State TV, rightwing Newstallk etcetc censor any debate on the EU.

    24
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    Mute Robert Preston
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:59 PM

    @Mick Jordan: BS alright you only have to look at Europe and see cracks are appearring

    12
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    Mute Anthony Gallagher
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:23 PM

    lets be realistic ,when has ireland ever challenged either europe or the uk and won ,we are at the end of the day political fodder for the big boys .

    106
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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:59 PM

    Tusk is full of it. Saying we must respect the UK decision and actually doing so are two different things. The EU refusal to respect the result is the underlying problem.

    79
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    Mute MK76
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:14 PM

    @Joe Caulfield: Incorrect. The vote to leave is the underlying problem.

    32
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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:18 PM

    @Joe Caulfield: Factually incorrect rubbish. The EU are operating the process to the letter. The British government’s inability to decide or articulate what it wants is the underlying problem. You’re in denial like Davis and Fox.

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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:21 PM

    @MK76: The vote was democratic, the EU is not.

    25
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    Mute Joseph Rooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:54 PM

    @MK76:
    Can’t handle democracy, can you?

    10
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    Mute Robert Preston
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    Mar 8th 2018, 10:01 PM

    @MK76: The UK is leaving get over it and accept it Move on

    11
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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 11:36 PM

    @Robert Preston: We are. They don’t know what they want or what to ask for. We are being very patient. The Tory cabinet is a twenty-one man ar$€- wit carnival. Accept it. Move on.

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    Mute Kevin McDonnell
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    Mar 9th 2018, 1:06 AM

    @Joe Caulfield: Factually wrong.
    The EU is looking after its own interests. The negotiation is not about whether or not the UK leaves, the UK citizens have already decided that. The negotiation is about the relationship between 27 EU countries and a 3rd party (UK), in which, both sides are entitled and expected to look after their own interests

    6
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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:24 PM

    The UK will see Northern Ireland burn before they accept that Brexit is impossible. Delusions of grandeur writ large

    54
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    Mute Ben McArthur
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:36 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw: “Brexit is impossible” sounds more like delusions of grandeur, tbh.

    13
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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:47 PM

    @Ben McArthur: well Britain can leave the EU sure. But it also will breach the Good Friday Agreement and wreck the country’s economy and turn it into Venezuela
    It’s impossible for brexit to turn out well for the British is a better way of saying it

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    Mute Joseph Rooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:55 PM

    @Chucky Arlaw:

    Having seen a few of your posts, I can state that your opinion is worthless and ignorant. Don’t bother offering us any more of your stupid predictions.

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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:40 PM

    @Joseph Rooney: any examples?
    Maybe you’ll be able to learn to debate properly once you’ve sat your junior cert

    5
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    Mute Ooby Dooby
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:54 PM

    The EU has our back, against a country that caused us nothing but suffering for 100′s of years. And yet still all these conspitorial comments about EU elite super lizards forcing us to bay bond holders through some kind of mind control.

    Look at the facts, check out Ireland’s status as sick man of Europe pre 1973 and now look at our standard of living after 30 odd years of membership – one of the wealthiest countries in the world in the top 10 on the HDI.

    Some people will argue black is white

    80
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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:02 PM

    @Ooby Dooby: American companies operating in Ireland. The EU does not create jobs. It creates red tape.

    63
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    Mute Fred Joyson
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:11 PM

    @Joe Caulfield:

    And would the multinationals be in this country without the EU, you clown.

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    Mute Patricia Cooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:15 PM

    @Fred Joyson: it is America companies that support Ireland

    28
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:21 PM

    @Patricia Cooney: And why did they set up in Ireland. Would it be that we are English speaking well educated and most importantly in the EU.

    29
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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:25 PM

    @Mick Jordan: English speaking well educated and most importantly in the low tax rate. The EU is a massive put off. Look at how they treated Microsoft and Apple.

    21
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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:28 PM

    @Fred Joyson: English speaking well educated and most importantly the low tax rate. Nothing to do with EU ya ignoramus.

    24
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    Mute Patricia Cooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:30 PM

    @Mick Jordan: America’s companies were here before Ireland joined Europe

    27
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:41 PM

    @Patricia Cooney: We are in the EU 45 years. Not too many US companies are here that long.

    20
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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:21 PM

    @Joe Caulfield: We attract the largest cut of US foreign investment anywhere because we are in the EU. Did you think they showed up coz they liked our accent?

    23
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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:23 PM

    @Patricia Cooney: Turn the grammar check on will you. The poor-English-speaking troll thing is cliched these days oh anonymous one.

    6
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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:49 PM

    @Joe Caulfield: a survey by the Economist found that FDI companies in Ireland ranked access to the single market as being the number one reason to be in Ireland. They’re here because of the EU, if we irexit all those companies will leave

    20
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    Mute Joseph Rooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:57 PM

    @Ooby Dooby:

    You show your ignorance. Ireland (26 Counties) was NOT ‘sick man of Europe’ in 1973. There had been at least a decade of economic growth under Lemass and Lynch.
    Read some history if you are too young to remember.

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:24 PM

    The anti EU mob on here hate this type of message from the EU. They hate the fact that the full weight of EU are fully behind our little country. Why because it totally undermines their argument about the EU.

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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:33 PM

    @Mick Jordan: Your blind adherence to Brussels is pitiful and pathetic. You’ll be a brainwashed organ grinder to the bitter end.

    49
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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:37 PM

    @Mick Jordan: That’s still up for debate Mick, let’s see what the final outcome is before we pass judgement.

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:43 PM

    @Joe Caulfield: You can always move to Brexit Britain to get away from the EU. Because the vast majority of Irish people are happy to be in the EU.

    18
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    Mute Joe Caulfield
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:50 PM

    @Mick Jordan: Then what are they all doing in Canada, England, U.S. and Australia?

    29
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:51 PM

    @Derek Poutch: And when Brexit is done and dusted and the EU have supported us 100% will you then give your support to the EU?

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:52 PM

    @Joe Caulfield: So the Majority of the Population is living abroad is that your claim? You should get some rehab for the drugs you are on.

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    Mute UnTriggeredv2
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:54 PM

    @Mick Jordan: I wouldn’t be so trustful of the EU as you. Ireland is merely a pawn in the game for the big countries…Germany, France, UK…We seem to be heading for a “no deal”…that’s the worst outcome for us…

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    Mute Joseph Rooney
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:58 PM

    @Mick Jordan:
    We felt the full weight of the EU about 8 years ago.
    On our throats!

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    Mute Kevin McDonnell
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    Mar 9th 2018, 1:16 AM

    @Joe Caulfield: What are Canadians, Americans, English and Ozzies doing living in the EU??? Just because you live outside / inside of the EU does not mean that you like / dislike the EU
    What a silly “argument” ……. Stick to the personal insults Joe as you can at least put them together. Logic doesn’t seem to suit you

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    Mute Patricia Cooney
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    Mar 9th 2018, 10:05 AM

    @Mick Jordan: @Mick Jordan:so you say. You sound like you are running for fg

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    Mute AR Devine
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:13 PM

    The never ending ‘peace process.’ The GFA has merely entrenched sectarian and tribal division in Northern Ireland. It will never lead to sustainable government in Northern Ireland. A completely fresh approach is needed that challenges the divisive identity politics of the region.
    https://ardevine.blogspot.ie/2018/02/why-good-friday-agreement-will-never.html?m=1

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:18 PM

    @AR Devine: You’re not seeing the bigger picture. “Northern Ireland” may not even exist in another generation. The rising Nationalist demographic will ensure that. In the meantime, trying to keep a lid on sectarian tensions has to remain a key focus. This is particularly difficult when one side refuses to see the other as equals and instead seeks to hark back to the good old days of a Protestant State for a Protestant people.

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    Mute AR Devine
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:34 PM

    @Jamie McCormack:

    There are many unionists who view nationalists as equals they just have a different view on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Mike Nesbitt and many more in the UUP and even Paisley Jr are in no ways bigoted against nationalists. Many unionists consider themselves both Irish and British. I even heard Paisley Jr say so recently. It is simplistic propaganda to state all unionists are bigoted against nationalists. It’s like saying all nationalists in Northern Ireland supported IRA terrorists when during the troubles SF were the minority nationalist party in N. Ireland because of their support for terrorism.

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Mar 8th 2018, 10:48 PM

    @AR Devine: It’s pretty telling that you’ve concentrated your ire around one particular political party, namely SF. You’ve failed to mention the fact that the DUP consulted with the UVF and UDA recently before they delivered their verdict on the Irish Language Act. Although you probably aren’t interested in that sort of thing.

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    Mute difference
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    Mar 9th 2018, 1:41 AM

    @AR Devine: The UUP are also very strongly against the Irish language act also, why? must be the cost of it in monetary terms maybe!!

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    Mute UnTriggeredv2
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:06 PM

    Evertday, it’s looking more likely that a “no deal” is the likely outcome. Devastating result for Ireland…

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    Mute Martin Forde
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:48 PM

    What happens when the EU tell us to impose a hard boarder

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    Mute Bernard Keating
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:16 PM

    Remember a bomb will go off in Dublin?

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    Mute Tomek Olo Łęcki
    Favourite Tomek Olo Łęcki
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:41 PM

    people if you believe that that man Tusk can change something or can do something for Ireland or any other EU country except Germany , you are making a huge mistake …. he is the last person that UK gov wants to talk and deal with…he is just German’s Volksdeutsch.

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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
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    Mar 8th 2018, 11:00 PM

    The EU is dying since Mekel gave it the kiss of death.

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    Mute Willy Malone
    Favourite Willy Malone
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    Mar 8th 2018, 5:12 PM

    Tax harmonisation will soon see us up shit creek.. Can anyone of our politicians not see it coming… Fools..

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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
    Favourite Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:50 PM

    @Willy Malone: tax harmonisation requires a treaty change. A treaty cannot change without the full consent of every country, therefore Ireland will be able to prevent tax harmonisation by vetoing it
    Luxembourg and Holland will also veto it

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    Mute Darach Ó Ruairc
    Favourite Darach Ó Ruairc
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:03 PM

    So… if the hard border impasse ultimately leads to a united Ireland…. there would be a complete overhaul of the Garda and PSNI maybe?

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
    Favourite Jamie McCormack
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    Mar 8th 2018, 10:58 PM

    @Darach Ó Ruairc: The native population in the North have never known a proper civil police force. All they’ve ever known is brutal oppression, going back centuries before police even existed.

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    Mute wattsed
    Favourite wattsed
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    Mar 9th 2018, 12:23 PM

    Tusk is Polish, his own fellow citizens barely trust him.
    What role and assistance did the EU contribute in the negotiations that created the GFA, if any.
    They’ve already messed up Ukraine with their mandate of pulling in Balkan states, in an attempt to diminish Russian influence and split the nation.
    If you believe they are seriously interested in the GFA, and the consequent benefits to peace in NI, think again. It merely provides an opportunity for the EU to both use it as a tactical attempt to influence trade negotiations with the UK and a PR exercise, with the full support of Varadkar how the EU really does, after all these years of imposed austerity, care for citizens.
    Reminds me of a certain car manufacturer that tried to poison us, but hey, they’ve changed. Well _ the spin has.

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    Mute John Walsh
    Favourite John Walsh
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    Mar 9th 2018, 4:38 AM

    Yes 80-90% are pro EU , however it would be stupid to trust it unwaveringly

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    Mute Trevor Connolly
    Favourite Trevor Connolly
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    Mar 9th 2018, 1:13 AM

    Do they look alike

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