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The Irish and British leaders in Brussels last month. Rollingnews.ie

Brexit waltz moves on as May heads to Brussels for tea and Varadkar hopes Dáil sings from same hymn sheet

Leo Varadkar is hoping for more parliamentary support than his British counterpart.

LAST UPDATE | 21 Nov 2018

THE BREXIT CHOREOGRAPHY is set to continue today with UK Prime Minister Theresa May travelling to Brussels and a four-hour Dáil debate and vote being held here in Dublin.

May will today enjoy afternoon tea with the president of the EU commission Jean-Claude Juncker as European governments get their own say on Brexit this week.

Negotiations are set to continue right up to Sunday’s planned deal-signing summit.

Neither side has much wriggle room left to polish the withdrawal treaty or the political declaration on future relations that goes alongside it.

Last week, May won over her Cabinet on a planned Brexit deal which avoids a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (losing some ministers in the process).

Today’s Dáil debate will have little overall impact, given that negotiations are between the EU and Britain, but it will allow Taoiseach Leo Varadkar display a united front internationally in terms of the Irish political backing. 

The debate and vote will also give parties an opportunity to debate the key sticking point in the talks – the Irish backstop.

All eyes will be on exchanges between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael today.

Fianna Fáil’s Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers has been accused by Fine Gael of conducting an “ill-conceived campaign” seeking to undermine the government’s approach to the withdrawal agreement.

She accused the government of championing the success of the deal and speaking out too soon.

May’s own internal political tussles are also ongoing, with opponents in her own party vowing yesterday to continue with efforts to unseat her.

Staunch Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg MP said that May should be replaced soon instead of risking having her lead the Conservatives into another general election.

- With reporting by Rónán Duffy and © – AFP 2018

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37 Comments
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    Mute Martin Lintzgy
    Favourite Martin Lintzgy
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    Nov 21st 2018, 7:12 AM

    A “untied front” against our best export market.
    Great plan.
    The EU is sacrificing Ireland in order to punish the UK.
    The UK in all probability reject the deal, and with it a hard border.
    The EU will feel empowered by this, leading to moves to the European army, total control of tax laws.
    Welcome to the federal European empire.

    153
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    Mute European Bob
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    Nov 21st 2018, 7:25 AM

    @Martin Lintzgy: Just wow!

    76
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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Nov 21st 2018, 8:14 AM

    @Martin Lintzgy: I can see thousands of Irish eurosceptic voters flocking to your cause ‘Martin’.
    So inspiring. So convincing.
    Keep up the good work.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Nov 21st 2018, 10:49 AM

    @Martin Lintzgy: the EU are smart enough not to go with a hard land border. Stop being silly.

    22
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    Mute deisecelt
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:25 AM

    Embarrassingly pointless vote.

    115
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    Mute Hellenize Dublin
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    Nov 21st 2018, 8:57 AM

    @deisecelt: wouldn’t say totally pointless: if small amendments are made to the deal or some kind of promise from Theresa May is made, both Conservative and Labour parties could be under a three line wipe to vote the deal through – as avoiding no deal is a big factor for many MPs – I do think this scenario is unlikely though, but the vote could make it through the Commons.

    Anywho, another waste of time for our politicians when they should be focusing on other pressing matters

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    Mute Eugene Conroy
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    Nov 21st 2018, 7:24 AM

    They get more like the ballygomash town council every day

    53
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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:28 AM

    Trying to raise their profile.
    As if Ireland really had a say, rubbish.
    This was solely between Britain and the EU.
    This elitism has gone too far, I don’t think the electorate are that stupid (at least I hope)

    128
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    Mute Liam has the kettle on
    Favourite Liam has the kettle on
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:32 AM

    @Trevor Hayden: … Ireland are part of the EU..

    95
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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:36 AM

    @Liam has the kettle on: All leo and simon did was voice their concerns over the border, ultimately this is an agreement between Britain and the EU.
    And with Gibraltar/Spain now getting involved it may well be pointless.
    Mere hype and bluster on leo and FG’s part.

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    Mute DJ François
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:46 AM

    @Trevor Hayden: eh we are the EU. Ireland has a veto on the final deal along with the rest of the members.
    Your elitism point makes no sense.

    58
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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:50 AM

    @DJ François: Do you honestly believe that if this goes pear shaped and a hard border is erected the other members will support us?
    You make it sound like one big happy family.

    44
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    Mute European Bob
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:52 AM

    @Trevor Hayden: No fan of this government myself, but the fact of the matter is that this is an agreement between the UK and the EU, of which Ireland is a member. People seem to forget this fact.

    47
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    Mute Greg Kelly
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:55 AM

    @Trevor Hayden: haha. Ireland are part of EU, has representation MEPs, dept of foreign affairs, a Brexit task force, a minister for foreign affairs and negotiators and had influence and a say in this! What do you think Simon Coveny has been doing at the meetings?

    33
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    Mute Martin Lintzgy
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    Nov 21st 2018, 7:13 AM

    @Trevor Hayden:
    Ireland only had a strong voice in Europe because the UK always supported Ireland.

    29
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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Nov 21st 2018, 7:20 AM

    @Trevor Hayden: I see all the comments on here seem to forget Mr Sarkozy telling us to higher our corporation tax otherwise we would not get a bailout.
    It may not have succeeded but it goes to show we are not as important as most of you believe, let’s hope this deal does go through, otherwise we will have egg on our face.

    45
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    Mute European Bob
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    Nov 21st 2018, 7:27 AM

    @Martin Lintzgy: Really? Did they support us in Derry? Ballymurphy? Dublin and Monaghan?

    33
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    Mute B9xiRspG
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    Nov 21st 2018, 9:42 AM

    @Trevor Hayden: All EU members have veto rights to this deal.

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    Mute Liam MacSuibhne
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    Nov 21st 2018, 10:36 AM

    @Martin Lintzgy: the facts of the last 12 months seem to suggest otherwise.
    Ireland is the EU and the EU is Ireland. Everything Tusk and Barnier have said and done up to this point has proven this.
    It is Irish Government concern that has forced the UK to adopt the sea border part of the negotiation. It is of no value to the rest of the EU and has delayed agreement between EU and UK.

    Yet the EU have pushed very hard on this and secured it.
    So there’s your proof.

    18
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    Mute Philip Kavanagh
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    Nov 21st 2018, 1:37 PM

    @Liam MacSuibhne: Ireland is a stick to beat UK with. Nothing more.

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    Mute Mick Cullen
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    Nov 21st 2018, 9:06 AM

    All the eu states are shaking in there boots, So worried what this island will do

    28
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    Mute Adrian
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    Nov 21st 2018, 10:36 AM

    The gov don’t legally need to have a vote. So why are they having it? For the drama, or to avoid accountability. Now leo and coveney can have two answers, it’ll be either “i was the big shot in brussels saving ireland, sorting out brexit”, or “its not my fault, we had a vote on it”.

    20
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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Nov 21st 2018, 10:47 AM

    @Adrian: Entirely correct and astute. It’s a great move if you are FG. It completely boxes in FF, neuters labour and makes SF look errational all while both claiming victory, sharing blame and respecting democracy.

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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Nov 21st 2018, 8:11 AM

    Bit early for a vote considering it hasn’t been through Westminster and the are a number of twists left before the deal is finalised.
    There’s other work to do I’m sure.

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    Mute Vic's Burd
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    Nov 21st 2018, 8:27 AM

    @Danny Rafferty: the process was outlined clearly. UK and EU negotiate a deal, UK cabinet vetoes it, then each EU state vetoes it before the main vote on 25 November to ratify it…
    After this the UK government then votes to accept the deal.
    No point them voting on it if EU members vetoed it.

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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    Nov 21st 2018, 11:37 AM

    @Vic’s Burd: huh?

    7
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    Mute ContactWasAGreatFilm
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    Nov 21st 2018, 9:28 AM

    Why is debate required? This is an Awful deal for everyone BUT the EU.

    The UK will be potentially tied into the deal indefinitely until Herr Merkel can give it’s blessing.

    Northern Ireland will be essentially cut off from the EU and this will inflame tensions.

    We need to show backbone in leadership and say what everyone knows; This is a terrible deal.

    I know we all get a kick out of seeing our british neighbors squirm, but like any any annoying neighbor, you still feel terrible when you hear they had a break in.

    23
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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Nov 21st 2018, 10:42 AM

    @ContactWasAGreatFilm: Yes under than the Norway model or no Brexit this deal is the best Ireland could have hoped for. Tying the UK to Europe wirh non compete clauses along with NI give us full goods access to their markets, no hard border and we don’t have to worry about them poaching EU investment. How is this a bad deal for Ireland other than it. Not being no brexit at all.

    9
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    Mute Paul Donaghy
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    Nov 21st 2018, 10:46 AM

    I’ll be happy when it’s all sorted and off the news. It’s like listening to that lad in the bar who goes on and on.

    13
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    Mute DeFonz
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    Nov 21st 2018, 8:05 AM

    This vote must be postponed.

    Let the UK evolve a final position, then and if (and only then) we should consider ratifying it.

    We are playing into the hands of the ERG DUP by adopting positions on a still evolving debate that might have weeks, months or years to run.

    13
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    Mute Vic's Burd
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    Nov 21st 2018, 8:33 AM

    @DeFonz: the UK had 2 years… they done SFA but moan! All the foot work has been done on the EU side – Ireland played a bigger part in the negotiations than Spain even did.

    If we leave it to UK, it’s a hard Brexit for us all.

    21
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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Nov 21st 2018, 10:45 AM

    @DeFonz: The DUP ERG only want a hard brexit and that’s all they ever wanted. No matter how good the deal was they would never have accepted it. Both are looking for more power in a weaker country over less power in a prosperous one (how it was before the brexit vote).

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    Mute Adrian
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    Nov 21st 2018, 6:14 PM

    Respect to our foolball managers who leave with dignity, not like our disgraceful inept politicians who hang on till the bitter end despite far worse performances.

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    Mute Moorooka Mick
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    Nov 22nd 2018, 3:43 AM

    Lookit here, we are witnessing the end of an empire and staring the prospect of the separation of the quads: England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales.
    “Well may we say God save the Queen, because nothing will save the United Kingdom!”
    (variation of Geoff Whitlam’s speech 11th Nov 1975)
    We have been on the EEC/EC tit since 1973 and spoon fed by Britain so we now should be glad that we have the EC on our side and, IMO, the lesser spoon feeding we have,
    the more tit we’ll get and we’ll all be as happy as Paddy’s Pig…..no worries….eh?
    PSSSSSST: We’d like the vote for citizens living overseas and that’s no joke, tit or no tit!

    1
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