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Full English: Brexit turmoil as Royals pay Ireland a visit

Inside Politics: Who knows what can be achieved, or destroyed, between now and March?

Good morning. It is a full English on the menu.

The Royals are in town and are paying a visit to Government Buildings.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, AKA Harry and Meghan, will be visiting the capital city and will pop in to see Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The Taoiseach and Government officials have been advised Brexit is not for discussion, which seems unfair because it is all anyone else is talking about.

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Luckily for Leo, the football may be coming home, so that should help feed the conversation. Although, he should probably not mention he wanted Belgium to beat the English a few weeks back.

Anyway, the visit comes as all hell breaks loose in the Conservative party. Boris Johnson and David Davis resigned their roles yesterday with many anticipating more resignations as the days go on.

The Chequers statement last week may have been viewed as a moral and political victory for Theresa May but the full effect of that is not yet known. And of course, that victory may be mean she is on borrowed time.

Regardless of what happens next, the credibility of Conservatives as a governing party is diminishing by the day, while the party is being torn apart from within.

As the twists and turns continue, the Brexit deadline inches closer and the realities remain undefined and those in charge seem unprepared.

But heck, we learned yesterday 24 hours is a long time in politics. So who knows what can be achieved, or destroyed between now and March?

Shut up shop

Meanwhile, the Dáil is preparing to shut up shop for a few months. This is the last week the House intends to sit before the summer holidays.

The Cabinet agenda is packed to the brim to keep the idle political correspondents occupied throughout the summer months and the House itself is sitting late to try to get through as much legislation as possible.

The Judicial Appointments Bill continued to move through the Seanad last night ensuring Minister for Transport Shane Ross remains a member of Government for the foreseeable future.

The legislation to enact the people’s decision on abortion will also be published this week but not introduced due to a number of court cases challenging the referendum result.

This is not the last Cabinet meeting. The Taoiseach and his merry Ministers will travel to Kerry next week for the last one of the season.

And we should expect an announcement from President Michael D Higgins this week on his plans ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

It is widely anticipated he will confirm he intends to seek re-election to the office of President.

It will be a busy week, it seems. Enjoy it.

Best Reads

The Irish Times view on the antics in Britain.

The Guardian's damning editorial on Boris Johnson is here.

Fintan O'Toole says Britain has gone to huge trouble to humiliate itself.

Denis Staunton's view is here.

Government to consider funding abortion services.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is chosen a candidate for next election.

Playbook

Dáil

Leaders’ Questions is at 2pm, followed by the Order of Business.

At 3pm, the Taoiseach takes more questions on his department, followed by questions to Minister for Business Heather Humphreys at 3.47pm.

There is a raft of Government legislation this evening, and the Dáil will adjourn this evening at 11.30pm.

Seanad

The Upper House continues its debate on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017.

Committees

At 11am, the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment will have pre-legislative scrutiny on the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018.

At 2pm, the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach will meet with representatives from KBC Bank.

At 3.30pm, the Joint Committee on Education and Skills will meet with officials from the department on the shortage of substitute teachers throughout the State.

The Minister for Gaeilge, the Gaeltacht Joe McHugh gives an update to the Oireachtas committee on the Government’s Irish language plan.