Tánaiste welcomes publication of latest European Commission Brexit contingency plans
Press release
19 December 2018Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, has welcomed the publication this afternoon of the latest European Commission communique on ‘no deal’ Brexit planning.
The Tánaiste said, “27 EU countries and the British Cabinet have endorsed a Withdrawal Agreement that is the best way of ensuring an orderly withdrawal from the European Union. Although the Withdrawal Agreement is at an impasse in Westminster, it still remains our priority and the only deal on offer after a long and complicated negotiation that ended with compromises from both the UK and EU.”
The European Commission and member states have to now action their plans for the possibility of a ‘no deal’ Brexit because of the situation in Westminster.
The Tánaiste added, “As the communication from the European Commission makes clear today, contingency measures cannot, and will not, mitigate the overall impact of a ‘no deal’ scenario. The Withdrawal Agreement remains the only way to make the best of the bad situation that is Brexit.”
“Today’s Commission communication builds on their previous update of 13 November and gives further details on citizen’s rights, financial services, air transport, road haulage, customs and the export of goods, and EU climate policy.”
“I want to, in particular, welcome the reiteration by the European Commission of its commitment to the continuation of the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes between our border counties and both communities in Northern Ireland in all scenarios.”
ENDS
