Sir, – Michel Barnier recently proposed a Northern Ireland-only backstop. Nigel Dodds of the DUP dismissed this as being neither a realistic nor sensible proposal and said that it disrespects the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom.
I suggest that Mr Barnier’s proposal be put to a vote of the people of Northern Ireland. If they decide that it is a realistic and sensible proposal from their perspective, then shouldn’t that settle the matter? It’s arguably the only “meaningful” vote in town. – Yours, etc,
DAVID LYNCH,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I see that the House of Commons is scheduled to have another “meaningful vote” today.
“Meaningless” would surely describe this voting debacle far more accurately! – Yours, etc,
TADHG McCARTHY,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – Looking at my purchase of a Hereford steak from Lidl, I note the origin and processing labels and information. “Slaughtered in Ireland – Approved EU Plant No 269:Ireland (Slaney Foods, Bunclody); Cut and packed in the UK – EU Approved Plant No 9023: UK (Linden Foods Dungannon, Co Tyrone).”
The cattle may have been raised in any part of the island; the carcasses travelled from Bunclody, Co Wexford, to Dungannon, Co Tyrone, and the finished product returned to the Republic to Lidl’s distribution centre. There are at least two seamless cross-border movements. After Brexit? Note that the Dungannon plant is an EU-approved plant in the UK.
What happens to such plants after Brexit? So many questions! – Yours, etc,
TOM CLEARY,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.