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Any unilateral deviation by the UK from the terms of the Brexit withdrawal agreement could erode and seriously damage political confidence not only in the negotiations, but also in Northern Ireland at a time of extreme sensitivity, Simon Coveney said.
Such a move would be cause for “great concern and a very serious step,” Foreign Minister al Dáil said.
He insisted that there would be no “appeasement” of any approach to violating international law and it was the “bare minimum” they could expect the UK to honor its legally binding commitments.
However, he added that “we must remain calm and focus” on the “real prize” to reach an agreement to avoid tariffs and not on this “highly distracting” approach that was illegal.
He told Dáil that “the UK has a long and proud tradition of upholding international law and upholding the primacy of the rule of law. Any departure from this tradition would have serious implications, especially for the UK’s international reputation.
“Clearly, any unilateral deviation from the terms of the withdrawal agreement would be a matter of considerable concern and a very serious step. Our view is that such an exit could seriously erode and damage political confidence, not only in the negotiations but within Northern Ireland at a time of extreme sensitivity.
Mr Coveney was responding to “very worrying” reports that the UK government planned legislation that could undermine key elements of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement.
Mr Coveney highlighted: “The protocol agreed as part of the withdrawal agreement is designed to operate in all circumstances, even in the absence of an agreement on the future relationship between the EU and the UK.
“The protocol represents a fair and balanced outcome for all parties, with commitments from all parties, and we trust and hope that the UK government will implement it in full compliance with its international obligations.”
He added that the UK approach was a “really nasty distraction” that was “hugely problematic and illegal”.
Mr Coveney said: “While we are still awaiting the publication of the legislation, earlier this week we presented media reports and briefings on this issue with the UK through diplomatic and official channels. We express our concern about these reports.
“My concerns have been exacerbated by additional comments deliberately made today in the House of Commons openly committing the UK government to violating international law.”
He said EU negotiator Michel Barnier would raise them with UK Foreign Secretary David Frost during his engagement on future relations negotiations.
Fianna Fáil’s justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan pointed to comments by Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis, who told Westminster that the British government would introduce legislation that “would violate international law in a very limited but specific way.”
Recommending an unequivocal response, Mr. O’Callaghan said that “appeasing anarchy only encourages the offender.”
Sinn Féin TD Ruairí O Murchú said it was unacceptable that the British government did not meet all the Brexit deadlines, while party colleague John Brady asked why the Taoiseach had not “picked up the phone” on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. .
Mr Coveney said that progress on the future partnership “is inextricably linked to the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, a legally binding international agreement between the EU and the UK, of which the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland is a central component ”.
He added: “We and the EU will continue to take a calm and measured approach, as we are in ongoing future relationship negotiations. Together we will carefully analyze the detail of the legislation in question once it is published and will stay in close contact with the EU working group on this critical issue. “
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