EU has triggered article 16 over controls on vaccine exports

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Breaking news on sky
news.sky.com/story/covid-19-eu-introduces-controls-on-vaccine-exports-to-northern-ireland-12202656

But leaving the EU has created this.

The party leaving an abuser doesn't create violence. The abuser perpeteates the violence.

The EU has put €500 million towards buying vaccines for poorer countries

So much less than UK.....

UN is saying that if everyone contributed in the same proportion to size of national/bloc economy as UK and Australia, the programme wouid be fully funded

@CodyBurns

I wouldn't say shit stirring on the most sensitive border in Europe is mere 'sabre rattling’

Me either! It also looks like Ireland was completely blindsided by this too. Who is making these decisions? And why aren’t countries who will be directly impacted by them - potentially destabilised even - being consulted or at least given a heads up?

Madness.

Even the Archbishop of Canterbury is speaking out, well, Tweeting:

"The European Union was originally inspired by Christian social teaching - at the heart of which is solidarity.

Seeking to control the export of vaccines undercuts the EU’s basic ethics. They need to work together with others."

The EU has played this so very badly. Hard to see how they can dial this back.

over the move to stop the unimpeded flow of jabs from the bloc into the region.

Sky News lost me at this , jabs from the bloc , what like 'Jenny from the bloc' ( possibly too young to understand the reference ), come on, you went to Uni, you studied stuff that should mean you can come up with something better than this, surely ?

@BraeburnPlace

But leaving the EU has created this. Sadly this is just the start of issues over ...most things. Triumphant leavers at the minute...but watch this space....scary stuff.

Don't be daft. If we were still in Europe we would be completely stuffed over the vaccine right now, just like the rest of Europe. It might be a matter of principle, but I don't want to be in a club with the playground bully.

I voted remain, by the way.

"When Owen Jones is criticising the EU, then you know they have gone very badly wrong."

Eh? Owen Jones has been Brexity for a while now, follows the Corbynites.

I didn't know about the 300,000 Chinese that is wonderful ❤️❤️.

EU has long been a trainwreck waiting to happen, and now it is happening. Just wait for the euro to fold in on itself when the accountants get to work.

BBC Comment:

Analysis by Emma Vardy, Ireland correspondent

The EU's actions are seen as an audacious move. Unionist politicians are incredulous.

Throughout the Brexit process the EU vehemently insisted there could be no border on the island of Ireland. For a while the entire trade deal hinged on this.

But now, to critics, it appears that principle has vanished over vaccines.

It begs the question, if the EU can decide to push this button on this, what else might they use it for in future?

Those who strongly oppose the Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland will be pushing even harder now for the UK to use Article 16 to override parts of the deal for its own purposes, too.

It isn't worth thinking about what would be happening if we were still in the eu, with our vaccine created and made and in warehouses waiting for years whilst eu signed it off??

It would be horrendous... Riots... My god...

I live in NI and really don’t see the problem. We get our vaccines from the UK stock.

The DUP must be rubbing their hands in glee though. It makes bad headlines to create a them vs us situation that might bolster their currently critical voter base while in reality nothing changes.

Hopefully this will be the big push to extract ourselves further from these people.

IMHO, now is the time to take stock, adapt and move on

If the EU make it difficult to deal with, business will find a way to get round the problem.

I think it boils down to the fact that they miss our money

Only trouble with bullies, they are eventually called out, I was just not expecting it to be this soon 😳

Downing Street statement just released (not sure why it starts with “last night”)

Wow....the EU what are they doing?

Anyone explain why they think that this is right on behalf of the European commission?

I'm from N. I and I don't know whether I'm coming or going. Feels like we are being used like a pawn in a game of chess.
We were always told the GFA must be protected at all costs. No hard border on the island of Ireland ...
Colum Eastwood from the SDLP has said the EU have made a grave error of judgement on this.

@FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack

I live in NI and really don’t see the problem. We get our vaccines from the UK stock.

The DUP must be rubbing their hands in glee though. It makes bad headlines to create a them vs us situation that might bolster their currently critical voter base while in reality nothing changes.

You don't see a problem with unilaterally creating a hard border in Ireland? Using a mechanism which was only supposed to be used as a last resort, less than one month into the trade agreement?

And it's not just the DUP who are angry over this. Sinn Fein have also expressed great concern. As has the Irish govt. The EU has done the impossible and unified all parties in Ireland.

Christian social teaching my bloody arse!!

They managed to dial back from all the other horrors they inflict on the Europe.. I'm sure they will seize more power, integrate more and leaders will be in name only. Like our Queen.

I voted out. I hope the remainers are eating their words. The EU is not an honourable or play fair institution. IMHO.

Yes, all it takes is a common enemy to unite people and countries.

This is is the going to take some very great statesmanship on our part...

I hope Biden... Who adore the eu and has Irish heritage has full knowledge of this move and reassesses his position...

It beggars belief that the EU commission have unilaterally decided to invoke article 16, putting a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and NI, without notifying either the Irish or UK government.

Presumably in case the UK tries to smuggle in vaccines via NI? Smacks of projection and judging others by your own poor standards.

IcedPurple

Not really no. Based on the assumption that I wouldn’t put it past the English government to do exactly what the EU are afraid of.

Unlike a hard border, it doesn’t change anything in reality.

@FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack

I live in NI and really don’t see the problem. We get our vaccines from the UK stock.

The DUP must be rubbing their hands in glee though. It makes bad headlines to create a them vs us situation that might bolster their currently critical voter base while in reality nothing changes.

The problem isn't with your supply of vaccines, it's the unilateral imposition by the EU of a hard border between NI and the Republic.

Not really no. Based on the assumption that I wouldn’t put it past the English government to do exactly what the EU are afraid of.

There's not really such a thing as the 'English government' but what is it that you think the EU are afraid of, other than being shown up for their utter incompetence here?