DUP has never promised this test would block an EU law. The party has only said it will show Stormont has been given “democratic scrutiny” and “the ability to have a say”.
The party never promised a brake test will block an EU law. It has only said it will show Stormont has been given ‘democratic scrutiny’ and ‘the ability to have a say’DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson: he is trying to make a point on Stormont's ability to block EU rules. Photograph: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press
It has now been six weeks since Stormont was restored. The first opportunity for a test has arisen with a new EU regulation to protect geographic indicators for craft and industrial products, such as Italian Murano glass or French Limoges porcelain. Failure to act would have missed Donaldson’s deadline and exposed the party to renewed criticism from unionist opponents.
Should the British government not enact the legislation the EU is entitled to take proportionate retaliation. However, there should be UK-EU talks on a compromise. Stormont may have no veto over EU law but it can oblige a sovereign government to break an international treaty affecting the EU single market, on terms the EU has agreed to tolerate. This is a remarkable privilege for a regional assembly in a third country, even in theory.
There appears to have been co-ordination over the brake test so efforts may be made to give the DUP something in this instance, or at least to spare it humiliation. In reality the DUP has indicated its overriding priority is the sea border. Nationalists have become such Europhiles they back EU law by default. Tuesday’s vote was a tribal split, with every unionist for the brake and everyone else against. There was no serious engagement with the detail of the law.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Stormont facing mountain of European legislation, warns major think tankWindsor Framework will put the civil service in Northern Ireland under ‘major strain’
Read more »
Stormont consent: How first test of Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit rules works‘Applicability motion’ engages a democratic consent process of the Windsor Framework in the context of a vote on extending an EU law to the North
Read more »
Potential Compromises in the Event of a United IrelandPossible compromises in the event of a united Ireland include maintaining Stormont, changing the national anthem, and replacing the flag.
Read more »
’Lisa Frankenstein’ tries to reanimate the teen-zom-rom-comFollowing the gruesome murder of her mother, Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) tries to readjust to life. While Lisa’s father Dale (Joe Chrest) has remarried to Ja...
Read more »
Taylor Swift's Father Accused of Assaulting PhotographerTaylor Swift's father, Scott Swift, has been accused of assaulting a photographer after her show in Sydney. The alleged incident happened at Neutral Bay Wharf, where Swift and her dad had disembarked from a yacht. Photographer Ben McDonald claimed to have been punched in the face by the 71-year-old.
Read more »
Taylor Swift Offered a Seat at the OscarsTaylor Swift, a member of The Academy, has been offered a seat at the Oscars by executive producer Molly McNearney. Although her attendance is not confirmed, a seat is being held for her at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
Read more »