"Migrants going to Ireland," states Rishi Sunak PM

Much merriment from Sun readers. The Taoiseach was referring to the Single European Sky and the comment was taken out of context, it was never a threat. Accuracy seems to be lost by some parts of the UK media.

Is this the best you can come up with?!

https://news.sky.com/story/ireland-uk-asylum-seeker-row-irish-pm-insists-westminster-must-honour-current-agreement-13126145

On Tuesday morning, Irish PM Mr Harris told Sky News: "There is already an agreement in place between Ireland and Britain since 2020.

It is referenced here that is as much as I know

Because the UK expected little Ireland to roll over and accept anything the UK says.
Ireland are PART of the EU so of course the EU were involved.
The UK govt were more than happy to break international law and ignore the GFA. Ireland did their best not to allow this to happen.

No it doesn't. It is a citizen based understanding.

To say that it deals with returns is stretching it because one "operational arrangements" are not a legal commitment that means anything. If Harris tries to produce an actual agreement I would be surprised. There is a political reason for that. On both sides. If he does reveal these operational arrangements he probably blows up a much worse political problem for himself on the operation of the CTA.

He should not have said it. I listened to his performance in the Dail. Yes he was taking punches everywhere because of that mistake. He probably regrets backing his over ambitious justice minister

UK citizens never have and never will understand Ireland and the history of the two nations so there is zero point trying to explain it here. I mean half of them think Ireland is still part of the UK fgs

Which one?

Where are returns covered in the CTA?
I doubt it is, it is dealt with in a different agreement

Ireland and the UK were completely united on the vaccine thing.

I’m fascinated by the seemingly lack of comprehension of the British public on the issues that brexit through up on Northern Ireland. A child in the street here would give you a better overview of it than the average head in the UK. I’m still reeling from the serious interviews were are ministers were asked why we wouldn’t just leave the EU as well.

So no the comments here are not similar.

Nobody is asking anyone “to help the Irish out” honest to god. There is an operational agreement in place; the Uk are staying it’s not legally binding so they won’t honour it and the Irish government are making noise about it. Which you would expect.

Ultimately I don’t think it is going to be a big deal. The Irish government will be only delighted to use Britain as an excuse for rising asylum seekers numbers anyway as it’s becoming a hot potato.

As an example There was much merriment when Varadkhar said during Brexit that he would stop U.K. planes flying over Ireland.
until U.K. pointed out that it was the RAF that patrolled Irish skies.
that sort of posturing from the Irish government goes down like lead balloons in parts of U.K. media.

This is how many in U.K. see Ireland during Brexit. That they behaved badly under instruction from the EU.
Well the rest of us were appalled at how the UK behaved so lets leave it there we will never agree on this.

Where are returns covered in the CTA?

I’ve had a quick scan but mostly it’s to do with citizens

‘Under the CTA, British and Irish citizens can move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and privileges, including the right to work, study and vote in certain elections, as well as to access social welfare benefits and health services.’

It’s about freedom to move and get things, not forced return

Does it mention asylum returns?

This is how many in U.K. see Ireland during Brexit. That they behaved badly under instruction from the EU. Read articles in more right wing papers such as Spectator and you will see this.
i’m not saying it but I see others saying it. It will give you the U.K. perspective if you want to know it( not everyone of course and not me)
.
many want to get rid of the CTA and so Ireland mentioning it and putting a spotlight on it was a mistake imo.

Can you please give some examples to show how Ireland were untrustworthy and acted in bad faith during the Brexit negotiations? I would love to know.

The aim of Ireland during Brexit negotiations was to keep peace on the island and keep to the Good Friday Agreement. This made it difficult for the UK govt as they were attempted to break international law on numerous occasions.

Ireland did not ask for Brexit, did not want Brexit but were forced to deal with it and all its dire consequences for Ireland.

I think a lot of people in the UK were bitter because they thought the UK should be able to do exactly what they like to little old Ireland without consequence but unfortunately this time Ireland had the backing of the EU.

@sashagabadon - you are on the money. Basically I do not think that the UK will forget Ireland bringing in the EU to do NIP for a very long time! Then making reference to the CTA as a common bond which is the basis of return just compounds it. No help for the foreseeable

Many will find it hard to forgive Ireland over the brexit negotiations.
Forgive them for what? Brexit well and truly threw Ireland under the bus, undermined the GFA which has brought peace to this Island for decades. the UK were annoyed that we wouldn't just roll over and let the UKs Brexit decision s**t all over it!

if you want to see how many see Ireland in England read the spectator
No thanks the Tories have never been a friend of Ireland.

There’s no appetite to help the Irish out.
This isn't about helping the Irish out, this is about sticking to your side of an agreement but the tories are not very good at that are they?

What did Ireland do in Bexot negotiations? Insist that the good Friday agreement was stuck to? That was for NI too, you know part of the UK.

This is all a power play I agree but... Ireland does not have much leverage. Referencing the CTA was a mistake.

Why? Because the "operational arrangements" that Harris makes reference to are not legal obligations. That was a very pointed remark by the UK. It may just be that they heard it somewhere before, from their neighbours a few years ago during the negotiations.

Harris to eat Varkadar's share of humble pie.

Could you explain in more detail what you think Ireland should do and who exactly they should make amends with and why?

but @Dulra that how’s the U.K. see Irish politics too. Many will find it hard to forgive Ireland over the brexit negotiations.
if you want to see how many see Ireland in England read the spectator comments under articles about Ireland/ brexit etc
There’s no appetite to help the Irish out.
i don’t agree at all with them but just pointing this out.
i am sure similar comments in Irish media would say same about the U.K.
the vaccine debacle played out badly here in U.K. as an example

How’s does Ireland expect this to work?

Someone crosses a soft border anywhere and what happens?

People are stopped? Asked for papers, transported, then kept where

There have been comments here that Ireland have to get used to immigrants. Ireland are well used to immigrants and have had asylum seekers coming for years. The Irish population is just as diverse as England or Wales. This is not something new to Ireland.

The issue here is that Britains Rwanda plan is unethical in inhumane. It means Britain are not willing to take their fair share of immigrants. It is making Ireland take all the slack for this. I have seen so many suggestions here that all the asylum seekers should be sent to camps on the NI border.

Ireland are trying to work with the UK fgs but the UK surprise are once again are breaking their agreements and promises they have proved time and again not to be trusted

Oh I agree Westminster is not pre disposed to Ireland at all and not really in a place to extend a helpful hand.
but if I was Ireland I would see the position I was in and try to look beyond it and make amends if I could. But I don’t think Ireland or U.K. will ever agree

Yes but... consider how sour much of the UK Government is about NIP. Ireland would have to make contrary arguments to the UK and ask for help. Now that's all very well and good, but if you had leveraged the EU into negotiations a few years ago and made great play with it (Leo V) I reckon Ireland will get a dusty answer for a while. And probably that applies to for Labour and Conservative.