EU’s Brexit action regrettable but inevitable – Richmond

Fine Gael spokesperson on European Affairs, Neale Richmond, has said the announcement that the European Commission will begin an infringement process against the United Kingdom over the Internal Market Bill is an inevitable decision, albeit regrettable.

Deputy Richmond said: “While this news is a regrettable development in the Brexit process, President von der Leyen has absolutely made the right decision.

“In introducing and passing the Internal Market Bill, the UK Government are in direct contravention of Article Four of the Withdrawal Agreement, in which both parties commit to fulfilling their obligations under the Agreement and to not put it in jeopardy. They commit to act in ‘good faith’ in the fulfilment of these obligations.

“The Internal Market Bill allows the UK to override the EU in areas of state aid and Northern Irish customs, which directly contravenes the Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Irish protocol.

“While it is regrettable that this has come to pass, the EU operates on the rule of law and the UK Government are quite clearly in breach of international law with this Internal Market Bill.

“No country is above the law, especially not laws they themselves negotiated.

“The UK Government has been given one month to respond to this announcement and they should do so fully aware of their responsibilities.

“It is important to remember that it was this UK Government that negotiated the Withdrawal Agreement, ratified it and allowed it to enter international law.

“The Irish Protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement was created to protect the Good Friday Agreement and the fragile peace it allows for on this island. The UK has clear responsibilities and the decision now to abandon these responsibilities cannot and will not go unchallenged.

“It is not too late for the UK to withdraw this Bill and to continue to engage with the EU to fulfil their obligations under international law.

“Time is running out, but it is not too late for a trade agreement to be reached between the EU and UK, that is where the focus should be rather than on legislation like the Internal Market Bill.

“If an agreement is reached and can go to the European Parliament for approval by Halloween, it can be in place by ‪December 31st and a hard Brexit can be avoided.

“Today we see European solidarity in action. Brexit and the Internal Market Bill put Ireland at risk; our border, economy and our peace. Ireland is the EU, and the EU will not allow it.

“Actions have consequences, and this is no exception.”

ENDS