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FRENCH FISHING CREWS have blocked French ports and ferry traffic across the Channel to disrupt the flow of goods to the UK, in the continuing dispute over post-Brexit fishing licences.
The action is the latest tension point between the neighbouring countries, which are also trading blame for not doing enough to prevent the deaths of at least 27 migrants whose boat sank on Wednesday off Calais, in the choppy waters of the world’s busiest shipping route.
French fishermen are angry at the British government for not granting more licences to fish in UK waters — and angry at their own government for not doing more to defend them.
The fishing industry is economically tiny but symbolically important for both Britain and France.
Today’s blockades are “a warning shot”, Olivier Lepretre, president of the regional fishing committee, told reporters in Calais.
“The British have access to the European market, while we do not have access to British waters. This is not normal, the British government must respect the agreement.”
Fishing crews blocked access to the port of Saint-Malo from 9am to 10am, but that blockade, now over, has passed the baton to Calais and Ouistreham, where the protest is continuing.
Meanwhile, protesters are gearing up to block access to the freight terminal of the Channel Tunnel between France and Britain. In the port of Calais, a blockade of ferries began at noon, stopping all ferries that provide links with the UK. Five fishing boats from the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer blocked access to Calais, in a short but damaging 90-minute operation.
“This is a symbolic action but if it continues we will show more teeth,” Lepretre added, in quotes given to French media.
The fishermen are protesting to “respond to the derisive and humiliating attitude of the English,” said Gerard Romiti, president of the French fishing committee.
“We don’t want handouts, we just want our licences back. The UK must abide by the post-Brexit deal. Too many fishermen are still on the sidelines,” he added.
A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK was “disappointed by threats of protest activity”.
Before Brexit, French fishermen could fish deep inside British waters. Now they need to be granted a special licence from British authorities to fish in certain areas. Most French boats have received the special licences. Now the dispute boils down to just a few dozen French licences that have not been granted by the UK.
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Irony does have a place apparently
All Trump statements should carry a disclaimer: “Does not reflect the President’s actual views, nor objective reality.” Trump is cunning and can get away with blatant contradictory statements, because there is a collective unwillingness to hold him to account.
@David A. Murray:
And just for the record we paid €10 million euro for his security when he came to Ireland a few months ago and all he did was stay at his own Hotel.
@David A. Murray: He went into the pocket of the NRA during his election to the tune of 30 millions dollars – he is not gonna say or do anything that doesn’t have their endorsement….welcome to America
@Dave Hammond: Build that wall..to keep terrorists in!
@Aine O Connor: and ?? Do you release how much money the US has invested in our wee country , why do the Irish think they are so special around the world , we are a F****n bleep of a place in the big world and wen the shit hits the fan some day Ireland will be begging the US to save our ass’s
@Karllye kripton: it was not a state visit, all he did was play golf at his own hotel and used it for a base for his engagements in Europe.
@Dave Hammond: Yes, US presidents are owned by lobby groups! Some of the big ones include the Israel lobby, the military industrial complex lobby and the gun lobby. They should be all banned from contributing to election campaigns and parties.
@David A. Murray: yea because any journalist who challenges him gets ostracized
@Karllye kripton: more shite from your know nothing skull. American companies set up shop in Ireland for two reasons lax taxes and an educated workforce who accept poor pay compared to other countries. You seem to believe that America is going to come calling for what exactly?
@Karllye kripton: and you think this was done altruistically???
@Jack Simpson: Jebus kid be careful. Your sensible comment might infect your other nonsense.
If these people with “mental illnesses “ weren’t able to access guns so easily maybe there would be less of these shootings
Black gunman – inherently violent
Brown gunman – terrorist
White gunman – mental illness
@Freezepeach: so Trump will be happy if both gunmen are found not guilty due to insanity ?
@Terry McSweeney: well one is terminated by police….
@Gus Sheridan: did his life matter???
@Terry McSweeney: if the one in Ohio is found not guilty, it won’t be due to insanity it will be down to reincarnation.
Absolutely nothing to do with easy access to high powered semi-automatic weapons?!
Nah, he was mental is all!!!
A lot of Trump tweets talking about the “invasion” at the border have been deleted. The fact is people are being radicalised in America by people like Trump and Fox News. If white supremacy is a mental illness then so is any other form of radicalisation but something tells me that these same people wont be putting mass shootings by non white,non Christian assailants down to mental health issues.
@Tom Thumb: What tweets have been deleted?
@Lester Jeffcoat: it’s a Twitter rumour, investigated by Snopes and declared false.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-tweets-invaders-deleted/
@Tom Thumb: if you follow the Twitter handle @unfollowtrump they instantly tweet a copy of anything that Trump deletes. Handy for when he does actually delete tweets.
@Tom Thumb: turns out at least one of the shooters was anti-Trump. Maybe a lot of people are being radicalized also by the left?
@Declan Edward: One doesn’t make a pattern.
Of course he’ll blame someone else!!
@Sean Leonard: don’t remember anyone blaming mental illness and video games after 911
@Peter King: I think you’ll find Trump wasn’t in power then!
@Sean Leonard: The republicans were. Trump was boasting about how he had the tallest building in New York.
@Sean Leonard: I think you’ll find Trump spouted loads of lies about 9/11 including that groups of Muslims were cheering and that he was in the front line helping out
The Texas shooting was directly in response to Trumps anti migrant rhetoric….
@Richard Casey: but did Donald pull the trigger?
@Richard Casey: and the other shooting?
@Declan Edward: what about the other shooting? Elaborate exactly what your point is. And a question for ya. Don’t you think Trump should dial down a bit the rethoric and language on his speeches and rallies? Remember he is the president, not just another person but the leader of the country, we like it or not
Metal illness, he’d know all about it….
Xenophobia and anti immigration sentiments have always existed in the USA, but by using them as a political device to further his political career, President Trump has given oxygen to every white supremacist group and individual nutcase.
I don’t think this was done intentionally, but it was done without any concern for the logical outcome, of them seeking to demonstrate their dedication to their cause, by carrying out these type of attacks on a grandiose scale.
The mental health issues are of course a factor in mass shootings, regardless of the proclaimed cause, because believing that it is justified to kill people for no other reason than, just because they are different or, you are having a bad week is insanity.
Will Trump spend federal money on mental health care? Absolutely not.
@David Van-Standen: Unfortunately accessing mental health services depends on someone accepting they are mentally ill, not often the case with mass shooters I’d say.
@David Van-Standen: unfortunately it was done very deliberately drumpf preyed upon the base instincts of white pride/power/nationalism on purpose, to divide, conquer & sow fear into the american public. We see & are living the results on an hourly basis in this country. Don’t be fooled for a second that this was his aim from outset.
As Maya Angelou wrote “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. People know themselves much better than you do. That’s why it’s important to stop expecting them to be something other than who they are”
Guns are to blame !!
@Treasa: yup, shooting people all by themselves they are.
@Treasa: American society is to blame.
@GrahamMManning: really ? Sorry I’ll post better next time YAWN !
@Treasa: good idea!
@GrahamMManning: I’d say ur great craic on a night out
@Dan2078: ur rite but I’m not sure what it has to do with guns. Is this you round about way of asking for a date?
@GrahamMManning: haha. I’ll politely decline ur offer. I’d rather go for a pint with trump than listen to u
@Dan2078: you brought it up kid not me but gotta admire the manners. And for a guy who doesn’t want to listen to me ya reply a fair bit….denial? Good luck with the Trumpy pint thing, he doesn’t drink. Imagine the mad stuff he’d get up to if he did though.
@GrahamMManning: I’ll take him to Coppers
@Dan2078: he’d never leave…
So true that’s one of them is sitting at the white house
C U next Tuesday
It’s definitely a mental illness. If you think it’s OK to sell high powered semi automatic weapons at the local mall, with or without background checks, you do have some brain injury for sure!
More like brainwashing by a false ideology that whites are a superior race.
His own mental illness I assume ?
The orange accomplice to mass murder.
I read and re-read but still amn’t clear. It’s Trump blaming his own mental illness for this? I can’t tell.
Very,very seriously.is that even proper English
@Dessie: Correct English!
Texas was taken by force from Mexico in the 1830′s. The Hispanics have a more right to be there than anyone else.
Their are none so blind and deaf as those who do not wish to see or hear.
Trump is quickly becoming the face of true evil. Innocents dying because of his rhetoric and he’ll happily attempt to mitigate the murders when the killers are the right skin colour.
Trump is to blame foe the increase of mass shootings NO MENTAL ILLNESS
Hate has no place? Even though your hate has directly lead to shootings targeting non-white people like this? Look in the f***king mirror you disgrace.
@Keith O’Reilly: I would argue that it is the hate of your ilk in the US that is causing far more problems and divisions. Not content with the result of a fair election, they slander Trump supporters as red necks and deplorables. They even go as far as inventing stories to inhibit Trump as president + try and get him impeached. In addition to the looney libtards, add in the fake news corporate media that regularly engages in media malpractice and fake news.
@Jack Simpson: you can argue away, won’t make you right but crack on. Equating the hate Trumpy espouses on a daily basis with those who oppose him for virtually endless reasons is the the definition of false equivalency. His entire presidency is built on hate, fear, lies, nepotism, self-enrichment and golf. Opposition to that is not an equal or greater wrong no matter how you spin it. No doubt he won the election but American elections in their current form, no matter who wins, are objectively not “fair”. Anyone who’d vote for such a man (in the loosest sense of the word) should be ashamed of themselves. How many prosecutions have come thus far from the investigations u malign? As for your “fake news” waffle think you mean BS mountain, Breitbart, Infowars etc
@Jack Simpson: Are you saying Trump’s rhetoric isn’t to blame for this?
@GrahamMManning: 1) Trump condemned the shooting. So that is your definition of hate speech?
2) Personally, like you (I presume), I hope he does do more to tackle this issue (gun violence). However, gun lobby supports him massively so it will be politically very difficult for him to do much, I suspect.
3) Entire presidency is built on hate and fear – Both sides are engaging in this. The dems by: a) Adding fuel to the fire that is Trump by trying to inhibit his presidency via hoaxes and slander; b) Russophobic campaign (inc Russiagate); c) Identity politics.
4) ‘should be ashamed of themselves’ – Speaking of hate speech.
5) RG prosecutions have nothing to do with Trump or original accusation. All have been analysed and outline how investigation was a sham.
@Keith O’Reilly: Trump’s actions are to blame. IMHO, there are 2 sides in it. Are you saying the actions of Trump’s opponents are not to blame?
@Jack Simpson: Yes!
@Jack Simpson: ooh I love lists and numbers. 1. Nope just the other lies and bile he spews forth almost daily. Saying one, and I assume a few other, good things doesn’t suddenly negate all his other venom. 2. Agree entirely. Re-election before what’s right and people’s lives. Not that he’s alone in this camp. 3. Woeful false equivalency. 4. In my opinion they should be. Need a definition for “hate speech” or can ya google it urself? 5. They have to do with his campaign and presidency and ergo him. Not saying he’s been found guilty of anything yet. Have to wait til he’s outta office for that show. And no they haven’t just like mueller didn’t “completely exonerate” him either and saying it over and over doesn’t make it any more true.
The USA is a racist country with a constitution enshrined right to carry guns, those two combined has and always will be a deadly cocktail. Obama Bush Clinton did sweet fa when innocent people were slaughtered in similar shootings on their watch too. Blaming the current president for political gain tells you everything you need to know. Presidents will come and go, people will die every day in shootings right across America, Democrats and Republicans are only interested in power not human life.
@Michael Jerseys: Did Obama not propose stricter gun controls including assessing the mental stability of the purchaser and the Republican party blocked it followed by an election vow by Trump to reverse any such measures?
@Barry Evans: I think he did, more than likely to appeal to his base. IMHO, Obama isn’t anymore anti-gun than Trump. Sure didn’t his admin sell more than $115 billion worth of guns to SA?
@Michael Jerseys: excuse me but Clinton did do something about it, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban was passed under Clinton in 1994, it banned semiautomatic assault weapons. It actually reduced fatalities by 64% over the 10 years it was in force until bushie allowed it to lapse in 2004. Please get your facts right.
So when the call comes for the death penalty Trump will cite mental illness as the issue! Will not be a popular comment with his supporters!
Always mental illness when it’s a US terrorist…..
Easy access to military grade weapons has nothing to do with it at all.
He’s right you know. His mental illness is to blame. A Mentally ill president.
He has a mental illness
have your say