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British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves after addressing a media conference at an EU summit in Brussels. Frank Augstein/AP/Press Association Images

May faces uphill battle to get support for Brexit deal, as Ireland insists there won't be a hard border

Article 50 will be extended until 22 May – if the House of Commons votes in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement.

LAST UPDATE | 22 Mar 2019

THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL has agreed to delay Brexit until 22 May if British MPs back Theresa May’s deal next week.

The decision was announced last night but has some stipulations.

If the UK parliament doesn’t vote in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement – a deal it has already rejected twice – the new deadline would be 12 April and Britain will be expected to indicate a way forward before that date.

The UK would then face the choice of participating in the European Parliament elections at the end of May or exiting the European Union without a deal.

The May deadline was unanimously agreed upon by the other 27 leaders of the European Union’s member states following discussions in Brussels yesterday.

Britain was due to officially leave the EU on 29 March, just a week from now, and May had requested an extension until 30 June.

Speaking at a press conference last night, President of the European Council Donald Tusk said Britain now has four options: a deal, no deal, a long delay or revoking Article 50.

“The 12th of April is a key date in terms of the UK deciding whether to hold European Parliament elections. If it has not decided to do so by then, the option of long extension will automatically become impossible,” Tusk said. 

At the same press conference, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU is ready for all outcomes, including a no-deal Brexit.

May insisted at a press conference after the announcement that Brexit will still happen.

She welcomed the brief extension agreed by the EU, saying: “I hope we can all agree, we are now at the moment of decision.”

About 2.5 million people have to date signed an online petition calling for the British government to cancel Brexit by revoking Article 50. 

The petition, which was launched on Wednesday, says a “second Brexit referendum may not happen – so vote now”. 

“The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is ‘the will of the people’. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now, for remaining in the EU. A People’s Vote may not happen – so vote now,” it reads.

May has consistently said she will not revoke Article 50. 

No hard border 

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1′s Morning Ireland, Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee said the extension avoids “a cliffedge” next week, adding that “nobody wants a no-deal scenario”.

She said the political situation in the UK is “quite chaotic and likely to change any given day” but that the deal may still be backed by MPs.

McEntee reiterated Europe’s stance that negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement are “not for reopening”.

She said she doesn’t want to preempt what will happen in the House of Commons next week but noted that if MPs don’t back the deal, the UK needs to present other options before 12 April.

“It is on that date that the UK has to signal whether or not they’re running in the European elections,” she noted, adding that Britain must then “set out very clearly what it is that they want to do and how they want to move forward”.

McEntee said the Irish government is committed to avoiding a hard border between the Republic and Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit and will work with the UK and the European Commission to make sure this situation doesn’t come to pass. 

‘Constitutional crisis’ 

Negotiations are ongoing behind the scenes in a bid to get MPs to back May’s deal. This uphill battle may have been made even steeper after May hit out at MPs for not backing her to date in a televised speech on Wednesday night.

“MPs have been unable to agree on a way to implement the UK’s withdrawal. As a result, we will not leave on time with a deal on 29 March. This delay is a matter of great personal regret for me,” May said. 

Her speech was sharply criticised by many MPs, from across the political divide, who viewed it as an attempt to shift blame for the ongoing crisis from herself to others.

Conservative Sam Gyimah said “resorting to the blame game” was “a low blow”, while Labour’s Lisa Nandy described the speech as “disgraceful”.

Describing her speech as “incendiary and irresponsible”, Labour MP Wes Streeting said May would be partly responsible “if any harm comes to us”, noting that MPs have been subjected “credible” death threats.

Tweet by @Wes Streeting MP Wes Streeting MP / Twitter Wes Streeting MP / Twitter / Twitter

Asked at last night’s press conference if she would apologise for her comments, May said she understands that MPs are frustrated, saying so is she.

“There are passionately held views on all sides of the argument,” she noted, adding that the House of Commons now has a “clear choice” between an “orderly” Brexit and a no-deal scenario.

She said the idea of Britain taking part in the European elections while still preparing to leave the EU would focus people’s minds, adding: “I think the choice is clear for people.”

Earlier this week doubt was cast on over whether or not the House of Commons would actually vote on her Brexit deal for a third time.

On Monday, John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, said the government cannot have another meaningful vote on the deal if changes are not made to it.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland claimed the UK was facing a “major constitutional crisis” as a result.

Bercow cited a ruling from 1604 to justify his decision to block another vote on the deal – it was overwhelmingly rejected by MPs in January and again last week.

With reporting by Gráinne Ní Aodha in Brussels

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58 Comments
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    Mute andrew sutton
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    Jun 9th 2017, 8:09 PM

    I feel so sorry for his mam and dad. Myself and my wife had to turn off the life support a year ago and its the hardest thing we’ve ever done. But it it has to be done!!!!!!. X

    365
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    Mute Donal Proctor
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    Jun 9th 2017, 8:52 PM

    @andrew sutton: cant even imagine andrew. I hope your both doing well

    191
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jun 9th 2017, 10:14 PM

    @andrew sutton: there are no words for that. So sorry.

    116
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    Mute ⚡ Seánie ⚡
    Favourite ⚡ Seánie ⚡
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    Jun 9th 2017, 6:57 PM

    Just gave my own little heir to the mortgage an extra squeeze while reading this

    317
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    Mute The Girl
    Favourite The Girl
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    Jun 9th 2017, 7:53 PM

    @⚡ Seánie ⚡: heir to the mortgage…That brought a smile to my face after reading such a heart wrenching situation. Wishing the parents well. :-(

    140
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    Mute Noj Lloc
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    Jun 9th 2017, 6:36 PM

    He is a beautiful little man.

    202
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    Mute Kate Flaherty
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    Jun 9th 2017, 6:41 PM

    @Noj Lloc: thinking exactly the same thing, that perfect little mouth, how hard it must be for his parents to let him go thinking that maybe there is a chance however slim that chance is, at the very least they can be safe in the knowledge they fought to give him every chance, heartbreaking…..

    218
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Jun 9th 2017, 10:47 PM

    @Kate Flaherty: even if it makes him suffer more ?

    34
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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Jun 9th 2017, 7:21 PM

    Let the poor child die with dignity surrounded by love. There is no point in prolonging his suffering in a pointless quest. The brain damage is permanent. Hold him. Love him. Cherish him. Let him go.

    197
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    Mute Matt Donovan
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    Jun 9th 2017, 7:30 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: could you? Could I? I’m not sure I could. Unimaginable.

    126
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    Mute RMcG
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    Jun 9th 2017, 8:06 PM

    @Matt Donovan: It’s the money grabbing Dr in the US that should be ashamed, he gave those parents false hope, that they have now clung on to.

    104
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jun 9th 2017, 10:18 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: such a hard call. As a parent you would fight every day and if someone said I can make your baby better you’d jump on it. But harshly if this treatment was real then it would be standard practice. My love to the parents and child at this incredibly difficult time.

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    Mute Cheryl Mellett
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    Jun 9th 2017, 6:48 PM

    This is just such a heart breaking situation.

    103
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    Mute Arn
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    Jun 9th 2017, 7:08 PM

    He looks so perfect. What a horrific situation these parents find themselves in where a court decides the fate of their child. Truly heartbreaking stuff.

    109
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    Mute cholly appleseed
    Favourite cholly appleseed
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    Jun 9th 2017, 7:22 PM

    @Arn: the court has no choice but to put the child first. Experts say he would suffer unnecessarily.

    73
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    Mute Brian Power
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    Jun 9th 2017, 7:50 PM

    I would fight and hold hope till the last minute if he was mine. Fight on lil man.

    70
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
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    Jun 9th 2017, 10:53 PM

    @Brian Power: the little guy can’t fight .. he’s already gone . Just the machines keeping him alive .really sad case .

    30
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    Mute A H
    Favourite A H
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    Jun 9th 2017, 9:17 PM

    I understand people feeling strongly and having differing views but this is such a personal painful story. I think comments should be locked. They’re not though so spare a thought for the baby’s parents. They’re going through hell. Hope his guardian angel leads him wherever he should be. Bless him.

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    Mute Paul Keane
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    Jun 9th 2017, 7:20 PM

    A true champion!

    37
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    Mute Dearbhla Russell
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    Jun 9th 2017, 9:41 PM

    Perhaps your worst nightmare and then some.
    Sad story. Hope the parents can find some peace eventually

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    Mute Arnie
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    Jun 10th 2017, 1:45 AM

    The parents are being impossibly selfish, let this poor child die with dignity – how cruel to let an innocent baby suffer!

    10
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello.
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    Jun 10th 2017, 8:15 AM

    @Arnie: Imagine not wanting to your child to die!

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    Mute Stephen
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    Jun 10th 2017, 6:02 AM

    I agree with the parents, this idea that to avoid suffering you should let someone die . Would any parent turn down severe cancer treatment on one of their kids if their was a chance it would safe their life’s. Of corse not. Their is a time to let go perhaps but as a last resort and not simply to avoid suffering. I’m sure been delivered is painful for a baby but we all done it right.

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    Mute Stephen
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    Jun 10th 2017, 6:08 AM

    This is the abortion culture in England on display right here if there’s a chance the baby won’t survive we’re not wasting resources on it . Before or after birth and this is what’s coming to Irish hospitals if we repeal the eight. People need to think about this carefully before you change the law.

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    Mute Dearbhla Russell
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    Jun 10th 2017, 11:46 PM

    @Stephen: stretching it a bit arent you?
    Nonsense.

    5
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    Mute Maryann Long
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    Jun 10th 2017, 11:23 PM

    How can anyone say they would not fight for there kid’s is beyond me. If anything happen to any of my 3 kids in would do everything in my power to save them. So don’t judge them they just want there little man two have a chance. How can anyone say it won’t work if there is a chance I will no parent what’s to see there child die before them. I know I would never gave up so I can see where they are coming from it’s just so heartbreaking.

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