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Good news from Brussels at lunchtime.
A pair of political heavyweights, Michael Gove of the UK and EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, got bogged down in talks Tuesday morning and, at lunchtime, an agreement was reached on the thorny issue of post-Brexit deals for the border.
The offensive clauses in Westminster’s controversial internal markets bill were dropped, and it looked like the beginning of positive momentum to reach a viable Brexit divorce deal between the two parties.
But if the atmosphere of pessimism around closing a deal eased a bit with the agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol, it didn’t last. In case people were getting their hopes up, the Taoiseach was on hand to remind everyone that these discussions were different from the ongoing negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal, which are still stalled.
Micheál Martin didn’t even try to sound optimistic when opposition TDs wondered where we were now in this crucial phase of the last-gasp process. In Tuesday’s Dáil, there is a sense that time is being marked by leaders and spokesmen as Brexit draws to a close.
Could a last minute compromise be reached or will the UK collapse without a deal?
I would like to warn that we should not over-interpret what are welcome action on the part of the UK government in relation to the withdrawal protocol and treaty.
Cian O’Callaghan of the Social Democrats called for an urgent debate in the Dáil this week on the issue, which is too serious to ignore. In this he was supported by the rural independent Mattie McGrath. He noted that the Dáil is up for the Christmas holidays and we really should find out what the plans will be after the negotiations are concluded.
The Taoiseach wanted to please them, but couldn’t. There is simply not enough time now.
He explained that he has to fly to Brussels on Wednesday for the European Council meetings on Thursday and Friday.
There is always next week, right?
If he were a builder putting a price on a job, this is the point where Micheál would have squinted his eyes and sucked the air between his teeth, slowing down his head movement.
“If we could do it next week … it could be …” he mused.
Good race
Mattie had asked for a session on Friday but, with the best will in the world, there was no way the Taoiseach could do it. He explained that he has to have a good race in the European Council for the rest of the week and, of course, where will we be with everything else that is happening?
“I do “We have to alert the House to the fact that we could very well be discussing preparations for a no-deal Brexit” by the time the next available Dáil session rolls around on Tuesday, he warned.
And even in the case of a deal, “if there was a deal,” we still face a significant degree of disruption, he added, sounding exceptionally pessimistic.
But what about the good news from Gove and Sefcovic about the border and trade deals for Northern Ireland to avoid a hard border on the island?
“I caution that we must not over-interpret what are welcome moves by the UK government in relation to the withdrawal protocol and treaty,” said the Taoiseach, throwing a bucket of cold water on the little sparks of hope that emerged earlier.
As positive and welcome as that agreement is, it is simply “a part of the talks” that have to do with Northern Ireland.
The Taoiseach moved to further dampen expectations. The border is one thing, but “the future trade relationship is much more difficult, and I think it will be very difficult to resolve,” he said, offering little comfort as Brexit time runs out.
A no-deal would bring “unacceptable disruption” to ordinary people, workers, and businesses. Micheál told Dáil that he has expressed this point of view to “everyone who would like to listen to me” in Europe. He also said the same to Boris Johnson.
“He knows my opinion that common sense should prevail.”
Not that Johnson gives a fiddler’s fart from what Micheál might think. But you never know.
Dry powder
And so, like the Taoiseach, TDs stay dry and wait for the result.
In the meantime, the world keeps turning and we think of the Minister of Justice, who has had quite a torrid weeks on the political front, but on the whole much better news on the personal front. Helen McEntee announced over the weekend that she is expecting her first child. But nothing is simple on Kildare Street, and his happy announcement served as a reminder that TDs are not entitled to maternity leave. It is a constitutional thing.
The Meath East MP is the cabinet prime minister to become pregnant while in office since Fianna Fáil’s political powerhouse Máire Goeghegan-Quinn had her second child in 1979. But MGQ was minister of state at the time. And it’s been an astonishing four decades in national politics before it happens again.
If there were maternity leave for public officials, there would be more women making decisions in public life, Holly reasoned.
Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats had a few things to say about the news McEntee awaits during her party’s weekly press conference on the pedestal. It was comforting to hear a TD from a rival organization being so level-headed and normal about a colleague.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate you. And, you know, there is an expression you have to see to make it that way, and she always stood out for me in Irish politics: a young woman. And she’s leading the way again by being, you know, hopefully the prime minister of the cabinet to give birth in the cabinet, and it’s great to see that. “
Facts of life
Wish not really to Cabinet, Holly, though it wouldn’t hurt to remind all the boys of the facts of life, when it comes to political life.
“It is insane that she is the first cabinet member to give birth while in office,” said the TD of Cork South-West. “It’s even crazier that there are no provisions for maternity leave.” Women who stay home after having a baby must present a sickness certificate.
It was not only crazy, he said, but “ridiculous” that we’re even talking about something like that at this time. If there were maternity leave for public representatives, there would be more women making decisions in public life, he reasoned.
And then, to show that she was serious, Holly volunteered on the spot to “mate” with McEntee whenever she was asked to vote in the Dáil, thus ruling out the need for her to attend divisions at Leinster House and setting her free to vote. stay. at home with your baby.
After each election, people wonder why so few women return to the Dáil. Holly Cairns pointed out to the Taoiseach earlier this year that her own party managed to get only five female TDs elected this year, and out of 160 TDs, 36 are women.
“It’s really ridiculous.”
So everyone scratches their heads and wonders what to do about it when there is this “glaring and obvious barrier” around maternity leave.
Holly, who is preparing a bill, wants to work with all parties to improve the situation. Jennifer Carroll McNeill of Fine Gael is also proposing legislation, while Niamh Smyth and Anne Rabbitte of Fianna Fáil have also been active in this area.
All women, of course.
This is a surprise.
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