‘Historic low point’ if British unilateral action on North is taken - Taoiseach

It would be an historic low if the British government proceeds with plans to unilaterally introduce legislation to override the Northern Ireland Protocol, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

“Unilateral action to set aside a solemn agreement would be deeply damaging,” he said in a speech to the European Parliament.

“It would mark an historic low point signalling a disregard for essential principles of laws, which are the foundation of international relations. And it would, quite literally, be to the benefit of absolutely no one.”

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The Taoiseach thanked the parliament for standing by Ireland as it sought to protect the Good Friday Agreement and an open border with the North throughout the Brexit process.

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“No serious consideration was given to the implications for Northern Ireland” and the peace process in the Brexit vote, he said.

“All of us in positions of leadership owe it to them not to treat lightly what was so hard won.”

The government of prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to imminently introduce legislation that would allow it to unilaterally break the treaty it agreed with the European Union to govern Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit arrangements.

The Johnson administration has said the step is necessary to ensure seamless flow of goods from Britain into Northern Ireland, brushing off concerns that it will break international law.

The European Union has offered ways to reduce checks and paperwork, and appealed to the British government to return to dialogue to find joint solutions, but the British government has said these proposals do not go far enough.

The Taoiseach said he feared the British government did not want to find a solution, saying there was an “the absence of political will”.

“Unionist politicians have raised legitimate questions issues around the operation of the Protocol. And we believe, the European Union believes, that it can resolve these issues,” he said.

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“The fundamental question remains as to what the British government’s ultimate position is.

“I just simply do not detect sustained political will on behalf of the UK government to settle this and resolve it. Because without question it can be resolved.”

The Taoiseach thanked the European Commission’s vice president and Brexit point man Maroš Šefčovič for leading talks with Britain. “If there was a Nobel Prize for patience, he would win it hands down,” he said to laughter from the parliament.