No-deal Brexit now a 'very serious risk,' Irish official says

News24
13 Jun 2019, 06:43 GMT+10

The prospect of the UK crashing out of the European Union in October is now a "very serious" risk, a senior Irish foreign ministry official said.

"Since March, there is an exhaustion with Brexit," Rory Montgomery, who has helped oversee Ireland's preparations for the UK's exit from the bloc, said at an event in Nicosia on Wednesday. "The British government need to ask for an extension and it's going to be difficult for a Conservative leader to do so."

Boris Johnson, front-runner to replace Theresa May as prime minister, said on Wednesday he doesn't want a no-deal Brexit but the UK must prepare for one as a negotiating tactic. Like most other contenders for the job, he is promising to demand concessions from the bloc on the backstop, the device designed to avoid the re-emergence of a hard border in Ireland.

Dialing down his earlier rhetoric, Johnson said he wants a "sensible, orderly" divorce, but stuck with his vow to leave the bloc on October 31.

Montgomery said he sees no sign that EU support for Ireland will fracture.

"There is a very strong sense that Ireland is a member state and the UK is leaving so I don't think they will throw us under the bus," he said.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Nepal National.

More Information

Business

Section

Abu Dhabi and UAE wealth funds reshuffle du holdings

DUBAI, UAE - The United Arab Emirates government's sovereign wealth fund has taken a controlling interest in Dubai telco, du.The ...

China's most profitable bank settles charges with SEC for $42 million

WASHINGTON DC - The World's largest bank by assets, ICBC, which is also China's most profitable bank, has been hit ...

Ireland bolstering trade opportunities with Tokyo, Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea - An Irish delegation wrapped up a trade mission to Japan and South Korea, in Seoul on ...

U.S. president in bid to save Pennsylvania jobs

WASHINGTON DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday was lobbying Lockheed Martin to keep its Sikorsky helicopter plant in ...

BD chalks up 50th year of manufacturing at Dun Laoghaire

DUBLIN, Ireland - Becton, Dickinson and Company, more commonly known as BD, a leading global medical technology company, marked its 50th anniversary ...