Theresa May’s latest suggestion to solve Irish border issue dismissed by EU as ‘very complicated’ before it was even presented at Brexit talks
THERESA May's latest suggestion to solve the Irish border issue has been dismissed by the EU as “very complicated” before it was even presented at the Brexit talks.
The Prime Minister suggested using the so-called “back stop” solution – favoured by Brussels – after the transition period, but for a limited time only.
However officials say this idea, where the UK mirrors existing EU rules, would be “very, very complicated” and fear it would only postpone the negotiations on a long-term solution.
Negotiators in Brussels have said they think the backstop should be a permanent solution if it is implemented, but Mrs May has ruled it out.
Instead she favours a so-called “new customs partnership” to deal with trade issues between Norther Ireland and the Republic once we exit the bloc.
But that idea, along with a rival plan favoured by Brexiteers in her Cabinet like Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, has already been rejected by the EU.
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This latest knock-back by the EU creates further doubt that progress will be made on a border solution at the next European Council summit in June.
A senior official told of Mrs May's time-limited backstop idea: “It would be a very, very complicated thing to negotiate. I really don't see how you get there.”
The PM has only recently secured backing from her Cabinet, senior Brexiteers and the DUP for the proposal after weeks of wrangling.
The Northern Ireland issue and the options to solve it
THERESA May has pledged to leave the EU’s customs union after Brexit, which means there will be a trade border between the north and south of Ireland.
But there is deadlock between Britain and Brussels on what to replace it with.
From the UK side there are two long-term options being discussed, a ‘customs partnership’ and ‘maximum facilitation’.
The first is the favoured model of the Prime Minister, it is a hybrid system which would see the UK collecting tariffs on imports on the EU’s behalf.
Supporters say it would allow for a frictionless border but Brexiteers say it is unworkable – with Boris Johnson labelling it ‘crazy’ – and would prevent the UK from being able to negotiate free trade deals around the world after we leave.
Mr Johnson prefers the other option, known as ‘max-fac’, as it would take us further outside the grasp of the EU and allow us to strike deals of our own.
It would require technological advances to smooth any problem at the border, however some suggest it may breach the Good Friday Agreement.
Brussels has dismissed both options as 'Narnia' and has set out a 'fallback' option under which the UK would maintain 'full alignment' with enough rules of the customs union and single market to prevent a hard border and protect the Good Friday Agreement.
Mrs May suggested this could be only be a very short-term solution, saying no Prime Minister could ever agree to such terms, as they would undermine the constitutional integrity of the UK.
But an agreement does need to be found soon, as the EU have said no progress can be made on other issues like trade without an agreement on Ireland first.