This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-46588164
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Delay to Brexit if UK wants new deal, says Irish minister | Delay to Brexit if UK wants new deal, says Irish minister |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Brexit may have to be delayed if the UK submits an "entirely new" proposal on its withdrawal from the EU, the Irish foreign affairs minister has said. | Brexit may have to be delayed if the UK submits an "entirely new" proposal on its withdrawal from the EU, the Irish foreign affairs minister has said. |
Speaking to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, Simon Coveney said the UK may have to rescind its Brexit notification "for the moment" if that happened. | Speaking to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, Simon Coveney said the UK may have to rescind its Brexit notification "for the moment" if that happened. |
The EU has said that Theresa May's Brexit deal will not be renegotiated. | The EU has said that Theresa May's Brexit deal will not be renegotiated. |
But Conservative Brexiteers claim the prime minister's proposal will not be approved by MPs unless it is changed. | But Conservative Brexiteers claim the prime minister's proposal will not be approved by MPs unless it is changed. |
Theresa May has told MPs they will vote on the UK's Brexit deal in the week beginning 14 January and that another referendum would "break faith with the British people". | |
Mr Coveney said if there was a new proposal "undoubtedly it would need a lot more time to be considered on the EU side". | Mr Coveney said if there was a new proposal "undoubtedly it would need a lot more time to be considered on the EU side". |
"That would probably involve an extension of Article 50 or pulling Article 50 for the moment," he said. | "That would probably involve an extension of Article 50 or pulling Article 50 for the moment," he said. |
"But I think that would be a big decision for Britain to make and Theresa May has said she doesn't want to do that." | "But I think that would be a big decision for Britain to make and Theresa May has said she doesn't want to do that." |
'Holding consistent position' | 'Holding consistent position' |
He also denied that Mrs May was snubbed by EU leaders during last week's EU Council summit. | He also denied that Mrs May was snubbed by EU leaders during last week's EU Council summit. |
She had been in Brussels to seek legal assurances on the Irish backstop. | She had been in Brussels to seek legal assurances on the Irish backstop. |
"She wasn't snubbed and it wasn't a victory - the EU is simply holding a consistent position," said Mr Coveney. | "She wasn't snubbed and it wasn't a victory - the EU is simply holding a consistent position," said Mr Coveney. |
"We have an agreement that Theresa May has signed up to and the British government have supported as well and 27 other governments have supported. | "We have an agreement that Theresa May has signed up to and the British government have supported as well and 27 other governments have supported. |
"Theresa May is not looking to reopen that withdrawal agreement or the future relationship declaration that was signed off a few weeks ago. | "Theresa May is not looking to reopen that withdrawal agreement or the future relationship declaration that was signed off a few weeks ago. |
"What she has been looking for is clarifications around the use of the backstop." | "What she has been looking for is clarifications around the use of the backstop." |
On Friday, Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar said the UK could not continually demand reviews of the Brexit agreement. | On Friday, Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar said the UK could not continually demand reviews of the Brexit agreement. |
He ruled out a situation whereby the UK "comes back every few weeks" to query points, as "you cannot operate international relations on that basis". | He ruled out a situation whereby the UK "comes back every few weeks" to query points, as "you cannot operate international relations on that basis". |
Previous version
1
Next version