DUBLIN: Theresa May was today warned that paying a bigger EU divorce bill is not enough to unlock vital trade talks. In an exclusive interview, Ireland’s foreign minister said his country still has a veto – and is prepared to use it.
Simon Coveney told the Standard that trade talks will not be allowed to begin until the UK also agrees to maintain the open border between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
He said: “Anybody who thinks that just because the financial settlement issue gets resolved […] that somehow Ireland will have a hand put on the shoulder and be told, ‘Look, it’s time to move on.’ Well, we’re not going to move on.”
