Ireland promised yesterday to do ‘anything we can’ to help Britain get closer to the EU, sparking fresh fears of a Brexit ‘betrayal’.
Irish premier Micheal Martin made the call for closer UK alignment with Europe at a summit in Liverpool.
He said: ‘It’s an extremely important relationship for Ireland – and when the UK economy does well, the Irish economy does well.
‘So as far as we are concerned, this is a joint effort and endeavour and in that context anything we can do to facilitate greater harmony and access to the EU markets the better in terms of goods and services. Or, to put it another way, reduce barriers.’
Sir Keir Starmer at the UK-Ireland summit stated: ‘The UK has been working to strengthen our alliance with the EU.
‘That doesn’t mean rejoining the single market or the customs union or returning to freedom of movement but it does mean finding practical ways to work more closely together to boost trade, create jobs and deliver growth.
‘As close neighbours and long-standing partners, the benefits of stronger ties between us are huge.
‘It should be seen as a new era where the UK and Ireland work closer than ever and co-operate across a wide range of issues.’
Irish premier Micheal Martin made the call for closer UK alignment with Europe at the summit in Liverpool
Sir Keir Starmer at the UK-Ireland summit stated: ‘The UK has been working to strengthen our alliance with the EU’
As part of post-Brexit relations ‘reset’, Sir Keir has told the bloc he is willing to follow more EU laws and allow greater freedom of movement for young people in exchange for closer trading ties.
UK negotiators have told Eurocrats that Britain is prepared to shackle itself to the bloc’s rulebook covering food products, opening the door to European judges once again being able to rule on disputes involving British-made goods.
Critics have pointed out it would mean Britain being forced to follow the bloc’s rules without a say in them.
Agreeing to follow EU legislation on food safety rules will restrict the Government from pursuing breakthroughs in genetic engineering of crops, one of the Brexit victories secured by the Conservatives.
It could also hamper Britain’s ability to strike trade deals with countries such as the United States.
Only last month, US President Donald Trump said the UK could be in line for a ‘great trade agreement’.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister leading post-Brexit reset talks, yesterday said in the Commons: ‘The position of the Government is unchanged. We have no plans for a youth mobility scheme.
‘We will, of course, always listen to sensible proposals from the EU.’
As part of the summit in Liverpool, Dublin announced new investments into the UK worth £185.5million
However, diplomatic sources say that privately Britain has said it is open to an ‘Australian-style’ arrangement, allowing young EU workers and students to come to the UK to live and work for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.
A reciprocal scheme would allow Britons, aged 18 to 30, similar access to countries within the EU.
As part of the summit in Liverpool, Dublin announced new investments into the UK worth £185.5million, which the Government said could create more than 2,500 jobs.
