British And Irish Relations At A "Low" Point, According To Minister Coveney

Monday, 13 June 2022 14:40

By Caoimhe Harney

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is expected to publish legislation overriding the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Today marks a particular low in the UK's approach to Brexit, according to the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Simon Coveney had a tense call with the British Foreign Secretary as Liz Truss prepares to publish legislation overriding the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Protocol is a deal to avoid a hard border by seeing goods coming from mainland UK checked at Northern Ireland's ports instead.

This afternoon a bill allowing the British Government to undermine that deal will be published.

It's expected it will scrap border checks and allow Northern Ireland businesses to choose whether they follow EU or UK rules.

The legislation still has to pass in the Commons and Lords

However, the outcome of that will decide whether a Government can get formed in Northern Ireland, and whether it will force the EU to issue trade sanctions in response.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern saying relations are at a low point:

More from National News

Jim Gavin Was Asked About Tenant Dispute Twice Before Being Selected As Fianna Fáil Presidential Candidate

Fianna Fáil TDs and senators are currently meeting to discuss the findings of an internal report into the party's botched presidential campaign
Three Motorists Fined During Naas School Run As Children Were Not Wearing Seatbelts

Each driver received three penalty points and a €120 fine for each unbelted child.
New €53m Falcon 6X Joins Irish Air Corps Fleet

The Falcon 6X replaces the Learjet 45 and is expected to be operational in early 2026.
Sixteen Kildare Residents Died From Drug Poisoning Over A Two-Year Period

Nationally, drug-related deaths fell slightly compared with 2021, but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, with most deaths occurring in private homes and many people found to be alone at the time.
Fatal Celbridge Crash: Driver Jailed After Leaving Scene Without Reporting Friend Inside Car

After crashing into a truck on the Dublin Road at Celbridge, 22-year-old Jake Kelly, of Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, fled the scene. Jake Kelly was driving so fast when he crashed into the back of a heavy goods truck that was stopped at some traffic lights that the truck was shoved forward by 1.4m.
Gardaí Search Five Premises In Kildare, Dublin And Tipperary As Part Of Housing Sector Probe

The searches took place at five premises on Friday, December 12th, and were conducted by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, with assistance from the Corporate Enforcement Authority.
80 Drug-Driving Cases Before Naas Court So Far This Year Amid Calls For Tougher Penalties

The figures come as 170 people have died on Irish roads so far in 2025, seven more than at the same point last year.
Electricity Bills To Increase Next Year As Households To Shoulder Majority Of Power Grid Overhaul

Domestic customers will cover 55 per cent of the cost, with businesses paying the remainder.