The claim that the Irish government in 1998 were happy to trust the UK government going forward, and so didn't need to spell things out clearly in an agreement that tried to settle 30 years of conflict, is a bold submission.
Replies
Politically, there will be a further issue with any reliance on the GFA. During the Brexit process, the Irish side was, to say the least, economical with the actualité about the situation with the border. At best, they relied on the spirit of the agreement, not the text…
sep 2, 2025, 8:40 am • 1 0 • view
To imagine that any Reform/Conservative Government that is willing to take the hit over the TCA (data, criminal justice co-operation etc.) will let that happen again is for the birds. I guess it will really depend on the attitude of the Americans.
sep 2, 2025, 8:41 am • 0 0 • view
Lads, when ye think Belcoo is what the Vache Qui Rit wears around her neck, maybe you might want to be a bit less prone to lecturing silly Patrick about what’s happening here.
sep 2, 2025, 8:43 am • 0 0 • view
Almost, *almost*, like Blair and Ahern had a famously good relationship and that Ireland and HMG worked hand in glove on all sorts of issues like the North and asylum and justice at EU level for years up until Brexit, you mean? Oh.
sep 2, 2025, 8:38 am • 1 0 • view
So, to be clear, your claim is that we shouldn't read the words of the GFA, as we do a regular treaty, because Ahern trusted Blair going forward, and didn't need to be clear in the text settiling 30 years of violenece, whereas by 2021 trust had gone and clarity was then needed? Oh indeed.
sep 2, 2025, 8:41 am • 0 0 • view
No, Hugo, I was politely and patiently trying to tell you to stop making a holy show of yourself lecturing Irish people about what Irish people who you have never met but who they know well think and do. That patience is somewhat eroded, now.
sep 2, 2025, 8:44 am • 2 0 • view
The latest victim of WISHOT.
sep 2, 2025, 9:46 am • 1 0 • view
There is more than a hint in these exchanges of "Ireland is a little country and must do what it is told" ala Theresa May.
sep 2, 2025, 9:35 am • 0 0 • view
Hugo, do you ever stop to consider that maybe, just *maybe* Irish people might have a better handle on what the Irish people they know personally were thinking and doing than you? I mean - even entertain that as a possibility?
sep 2, 2025, 8:40 am • 0 0 • view
Well, I had thought that in 1998 the Irish government might be concerned to spell out things carefully in an agreement settling 30 years of conflict, but if you tell me they thought they didn't need to because they trusted the British, I am in no position to gainsay your expertise.
sep 2, 2025, 8:43 am • 0 0 • view
No. You’re not.
sep 2, 2025, 8:44 am • 0 0 • view