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Flights, electricity, and Anglo-Irish travel: Things that will be fine in a no-deal Brexit

There aren’t many, but there are elements that will be fine in a no-deal Brexit.

OF A NUMBER of concerns there are about Brexit, there are some things that will be fine in a no-deal Brexit, due to cooperation between the EU and the UK. 

Although there is a risk of disruption, delays and price increases in almost all areas of Irish life if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, areas that had been a concern previously, such as aviation, have been (relatively) smoothed over.

Of course, we won’t actually know what exact effect a no-deal Brexit will have until it actually happens, so there’s only so much we can say will be fine. In the cases of electricity, aviation and the Common Travel Area, however, they will continue to operate largely as they do now in a no-deal Brexit – which could be just weeks away.

Electricity

This week, at a Seanad Special Committee on Brexit, Rodney Doyle, the Director of Market Operations and General Manager of EirGrid said that it had transitioned from the single electricity market (SEM) to the ‘Integrated Single Electricity Market’ (ISEM) to safeguard electricity supplies ahead of Brexit.

“The Single Electricity Market has been operational for 12 years,” Doyle said.

There’s remained a strong and consistent view that the SEM should be retained. It’s our view that running the all-island electricity market has been a huge success and a tangible benefit of the peace process itself.

“Now that we have transitioned to the Integrated Single Electricity Market, we are linked into the electricity market across the whole of Europe which is seen to deliver even greater efficiencies.”

EirGrid is the State-owned utility that operates the high-voltage electricity grid and the electricity market north (through SONI) and south (through TSO). Eirgrid also works closely with ESB and NIE to deliver that mandate.

Since 2011, a Celtic interconnector has been proposed as an electrical link, which if built will enable the movement of power between Ireland and France. 

When completed, which is expected in the mid-2020s, it will be the only energy connection to an EU member state once the UK leaves the EU, and help to keep the price of electricity minimised. 

Last week, the EU Commission granted funding of €520 million to fund the “landmark project”, with 65% of the grant (or €345 million) being allocated to Ireland.

Particular attention to renew energy cooperation unpick the good work done to date. Committee again to use its voice of influence. 

Stephen Wheeler of SSE also told the committee that although the all-island electricity market must continue, that the single electricity market would be retained, but that “day-ahead coupling” would be affected, although the impact “would be minor”. 

Denis O’Sullivan, the Managing Director of Gas Networks Ireland, also said at the same committee appearance that following Brexit, the physical gas infrastructure linking Ireland to the rest of Europe will not change. 

The Irish gas market is heavily interconnected with that of the UK. It should be noted that the supply of gas to Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man is fully reliant on Gas Networks Ireland’s infrastructure which only underpins the need for continued cooperation between Ireland and the UK in relation to gas supplies.

Planes

Brexit leaflet Dublin Airport Authority Dublin Airport Authority

Niall MacCarthy, the Executive Brexit Lead and Cork Airport Managing Director of the Dublin Airport Authority (daa) told the Seanad Special Select Committee in a separate hearing that flights will continue to operate as normal at Dublin and Cork in a no-deal Brexit.

“If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, emergency regulation will come into force at EU level to protect air connectivity for passengers and freight between the EU and the UK.”

Currently, the UK is part of the ‘Open Skies Agreement’ which is part of the EU, and allows planes registered in different European countries to fly over each others’ skies. 

Because Regulation (EU 2019/502 on common rules ensuring basic air connectivity with regard to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union) will take effect immediately in the event that the UK exits the EU without a deal on 31 October and will apply until October 2020.

“It will bring into force a range of provisions to ensure that UK air carriers can continue to provide basic air transport services between the UK and the 27 remaining EU member states, including Ireland.”

The UK has confirmed that it will mirror those provisions set out in the EU Regulation.

This will give UK air carriers permission to perform scheduled and non-scheduled flights between any point within the UK and the EU.

In addition, the regulation also states that if airlines can, within two weeks of the no-deal legislation taking effect, provide proof to the European Commission that they have robust plans to ensure compliance with EU Ownership and Control rules and restrictions within the subsequent six-month period, then these airlines would in effect be entitled to a six-month “grace period”, during which their EU operating licences and associated rights would remain unaffected.

This would help Aer Lingus continue services, as close to 50% of its shareholders are based in the UK.

The Common Travel Area

This slightly overlaps with the above, but is also distinct.

Under the Common Travel Area (CTA), Irish and British citizens can travel freely and live in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and entitlements including access to employment, healthcare, education, social benefits, and the right to vote in certain elections.

The Common Travel Area pre-dates Irish and UK membership of the EU and is not dependent on it, the Department of Foreign Affairs states.

The Government of Ireland and the UK Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding‌, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the CTA in all circumstances. On the date of the signing, both Governments also issued a Joint Statement.

“The CTA and associated reciprocal rights and privileges existed long before either Ireland or the UK were members of the European Union. The CTA and the associated reciprocal rights and privileges which Irish and British citizens enjoy are separate from, and therefore not dependent on, EU citizenship or EU membership.

In the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and recognising the strong and enduring people to people ties, and long tradition of migration between Ireland and the UK, the participants consider it desirable to provide a contemporary articulation of these longstanding CTA arrangements, and to reaffirm that such arrangements are to continue.

In a statement after issuing the memorandum, Ireland and the UK reaffirmed “the immensely important and enduring nature of the relationship between our two countries and the unique ties between our citizens”.

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:47 PM

    Sounds like another pseudo liberal like Clinton. Hopefully Sanders will win the nomination this time and finally put an end to this Trump circus of ignorance, sexism and racism.

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    Mute bopter
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:06 PM

    Think he’s aiming for a Sanders – Bloomberg or Biden – Bloomberg ticket.

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    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
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    Nov 24th 2019, 6:52 PM

    @Rónán Strain: you forgot jobs, wealth, zero wars, boosted economy too

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:08 PM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: you forgot being a russian puupet

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    Mute Obama
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    Nov 25th 2019, 10:02 AM

    @Rónán Strain: sexism and racism ? It’s funny how he wasn’t known for any of those things until he ran as a Republican. Stop watching CNN and read up on actual information.

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    Mute Peter D W Clancy
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    Nov 25th 2019, 11:43 AM

    @Obama: Trump has always had a questionable character. He just used his presidential platform to let the world and all in the universe know all about what he really is.

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    Mute Carlin Ite
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:49 PM

    The weekend Sanders takes poll position. The establishment are shaking.

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    Mute Joe Johnson
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:09 PM

    @Carlin Ite: Do you have to be 77 to go for this job.

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    Mute Burn_the_Witch
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:07 PM

    @Carlin Ite: Sanders can be bought by the establishment. He’s already proven it by laying over on his back for Clinton in 2016.

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:17 PM

    @Burn_the_Witch: Better than committing treason and being bought by Russia…

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    Mute D H
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:25 PM

    @Joe Johnson: at least…. Closer to 80 if possible

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    Mute kenneth clohessy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 8:28 PM

    @Rónán Strain: Sanders is a commie

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:11 PM

    @kenneth clohessy: He obviously isn’t but i suppose accuracy would not be something expected of your ilk

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    Mute Oonaghx
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    Nov 25th 2019, 12:55 AM

    @Rónán Strain: do you have proof of that Ronan? or are you just going to be repetitive with that nonsense?

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    Mute Gandelow
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    Nov 25th 2019, 6:34 AM

    @kenneth clohessy: so was Jesus if you apply that theory

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    Mute Rocky Rocks
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:27 PM

    Hopefully President Trump gets 4 more years.

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    Mute Al Fresco
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:48 PM

    @Rocky Rocks: 4 years in jail would be good for him.

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    Mute LynchTrea
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    Nov 24th 2019, 7:05 PM

    @Al Fresco: too good

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    Mute Declan Moran
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:45 PM

    I really wish the Democrats had at least one candidate strong enough to depose the orange one. Instead of a crowded field of people whom don’t come across that great (I could be very wrong). A bit like Labour in England at the moment, missing a perfect opportunity to get rid of BOJO but Corbyn is just not good enough.

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    Mute Francis Tuffy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:34 PM

    @Declan Moran: Yeah, although 11 candidates have dropped out, there’s still a whopping 14 in the running currently, they need to get down to 4 max., Biden, Warren, Bloomberg and Sanders maybe.

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    Mute Mjhint
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:28 PM

    I’m doubtful that the American revolution envisaged these types of oligarchs running the USA particularly when they steal the American dream for those it was meant to liberate.

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:49 PM

    @Mjhint: yes. Israel loves Trump and they will love Bloomberg as one of their own even more.

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:36 PM

    Any candidates under 75 years old?

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:24 PM

    Time to feel the bern !!

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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:19 PM

    Bloomberg heading straight for Iceberg!

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    Mute WreckDefier
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:38 PM

    Bloomberg, probably the worst candidate in the world

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    Mute Al Fresco
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:19 PM

    @WreckDefier: have you had a look at what else is out there? Trump is going to offer his disservices again, ” Anyone but Trump”

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:43 PM

    @John Smith: if Moscow doesnt interfere this time, he doesnt stand a chance.

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    Mute Pádraig Healy
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    Nov 25th 2019, 8:00 PM

    @Rónán Strain: still peddling that hoax eh? You’re propping up a lot in these comment sections of late, are you being paid to post all these comments or are you just in need of some employment and have too much time on your hands?

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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:37 PM

    If he wants an ego trip and to be loved by America he should just write every person living in America a cheque for $160. He would still be a billionare after. That’s how obscenely, immorally wealthy he is.

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    Mute bmul
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:43 PM

    Self made

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    Mute Barry
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:20 PM

    @bmul: he’s actually rich and is good at business unlike trump

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    Mute Mary Cull
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:56 PM

    @Barry: He is deep state fighting back. The swamp will never be drained.

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    Mute Francis Tuffy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:32 PM

    @Mary Cull: Jesus, if there was such a thing as an all-powerful ‘Deep State’, do you think they’d allow someone as out of control as Trump get elected?

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:38 PM

    @Mary Cull: The deep state…….jaysus, Best for you to stay off the internet for a while i think:p

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    Mute Burn_the_Witch
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    Nov 24th 2019, 10:48 PM

    @Francis Tuffy: The ‘deep state’ is nothing new or not believable. It’s just a bunch of senior career civil servants spread out across the Government. The only reason you’re hearing about them now is because they’ve been fighting Trump tooth and nail for the past nearly four years. A bunch of bureaucrats pulling in the big bucks from where they shouldn’t, who don’t like an outsider getting in the way. Simples.

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    Mute Al Fresco
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:15 PM

    Anyone but Trump!

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    Mute Chris O'Sullivan
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:18 PM

    For the man who has everything why not buy yourself a presidency this Christmas lol

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    Mute james r
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:39 PM

    Way to old …

    8
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    Mute Kevin Barry
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:17 PM

    Devon Nune’s cow is going to declare next Wednesday.

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:38 PM

    Wouldn’t trust another billionaire from New York to be President of the United States..

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:19 PM

    ABT

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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:13 PM

    It’s not too long ago that 70 + year olds were keen to take life easier, slow things down a little, do some fishing, play more golf, spend some time with the grand-kids, go on a cruise, even get ready, spiritually, for the next world.

    Not anymore, it seems! Pelosi, Biden, Clinton, Saunders, Trump, Ross, and now Bloomberg…all rearing to jump into/ stay in the political swamp for more punishment. No official retiring for these guys!

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    Mute CAMILA REMONA
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:58 PM

    Well isn’t that blooming marvellous for him …

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    Mute John Smith
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    Nov 24th 2019, 7:50 PM

    What happened to the comments I wrote?

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    Mute Micheál
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    Nov 24th 2019, 7:00 PM

    Only a physical force communistic revolution of the working class will change the US, and hence the world.
    And it will happen!
    Ádh mór don lucht oibre!

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    Mute Cillian Leahy
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    Nov 25th 2019, 3:50 PM

    An easy reelection for Trump so

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