Bemusement among those opposed to Brexit as Sunak hails ‘prize’ for Northern Ireland in his deal with EU

British prime minister Rishi Sunak was on the hard sell in Northern Ireland on Tuesday delivering an enthusiastic pitch for his Brexit deal with the European Union.

“Northern Ireland is in the unbelievably special position – unique position in the entire world, European continent – in having privileged access not just to the UK market, which is enormous, but also the EU single market.

“Nobody else has that. No one. Only you guys, only here, and that is the prize,” he said.

It prompted the mayor of London Sadiq Khan to “@” him on Twitter saying: “Hi @RishiSunak – any chance London could get that special access to the EU single market?”

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The remarks by Brexiteer Mr Sunak extolling the virtues of Northern Ireland having a foot in both camps and the creation of “the world’s most exciting economic zone” were met with much bemusement by those who opposed the UK leaving the EU.

But it shows his genuine belief that he has secured a good deal for Northern Ireland and his desire to get the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on board to back it to pave the way for a resumption of the power-sharing institutions.

The North has been without a functioning government for a year since the DUP refused to re-enter the Executive and Stormont Assembly until its concerns over the Northern Ireland protocol were addressed.

However, as Pat Leahy, Seanín Graham, Mark Paul and Jennifer Bray report in our lead today, both Dublin and Brussels expect Mr Sunak to proceed with the deal even if the DUP rejects it.

The DUP has said it will carefully assess the agreement before taking a position, with party leader Jeffrey Donaldson telling reporters at Westminster his party would not be rushed into a decision.

“This is important and I want to get it right,” he said.

But sources with knowledge of discussions at Irish Government and EU level say they expect Mr Sunak to push on with the deal – known as the Windsor Framework – even if the DUP does not support it.

In his analysis headlined “Dublin wonders if the DUP can say yes to anything” political editor Pat Leahy writes: “The view from Dublin is that the British government secured very significant concessions from the European Commission in the negotiations on changes to the Northern Ireland protocol… but there is no consensus in the Irish Government about whether the deal will be sufficient to assuage unionist fears.”

On the opinion pages British foreign secretary James Cleverly insists the Windsor Framework is a “good deal for the UK and EU”.

So, we’ve had the backstop, then we had the Northern Ireland protocol, now the “Stormont Brake”. Simon Carswell explains the latest machinations aimed at squaring the circle of Brexit. Read it here.

Holly Cairns to be officially appointed as new Social Democrats leader

Back in Leinster House Holly Cairns takes the helm of the Social Democrats today after an apparently civilised succession from the party’s co-founders and co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall over the last week.

All eyes will be on the topic she intends to raise with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this afternoon before she delivers her maiden speech to her party in Dublin.

Jennifer Bray reports that in her address to party colleagues she will say the Social Democrats “are a party for a new era – not defined by old loyalties, old politics, old policies, cosy business connections or jobs for the boys”. Read the report here.

You can also read our profile of the Cork South-West TD – the horticulturalist who quickly gained a national profile after election to the Dáil.

Best Reads

Miriam Lord writes that Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald “is all for the EU-UK deal - just don’t expect her to say its name”.

Fianna Fáil Minister of State Niall Collins is to address “all circumstances” surrounding his 2001 planning application in the Dáil following allegations made by The Ditch website. Harry McGee has the story here.

Jack Power has a story on how the Housing Agency is hanging on to a €4,000 sculpture it had commissioned in recognition of its previous chairman, Conor Skehan, rejecting a board member’s proposal to gift the artwork to him permanently.

Playbook

Deputies have a chance to raise Topical Issues in the Dáil from 9.12am.

The Regional Group of Independents have a motion on the future of regional pre-hospital emergency care which will be debated at 10am.

Leaders’ Questions is at noon followed by Taoiseach’s Questions at 1.05pm.

Government Business in the afternoon includes the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2022 and the Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2022, all slated to be discussed after 4.30pm.

The weekly Dáil votes are at 7.30pm.

The Report and Final Stages of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 will take place in the Seanad from 4.45pm.

It is a busy day in committee-land.

The Irish Exporters Association, Chambers Ireland and the Irish SME Association will brief the Enterprise Committee on the challenges facing small and medium businesses from 9.30am.

The Committee on Health will hear from Trinity College Dublin academics on issues relating to the implementation of Sláintecare reforms, also at 9.30am.

Hauliers and representatives of Dublin and Rosslare ports will be before the Committee on European Union Affairs to update members on the impact of Brexit on Ireland’s trade and connectivity, again at 9.30am.

The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, Airbnb, Expedia Group and Threshold will be before the Tourism Committee as it conducts pre-legislative scrutiny on the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill 2022 at 1.30pm.

The Committee on Finance will discuss investment funds with David Hall, the co-founder of the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation, consumer advocate Brendan Burgess and financial adviser Padraic Kissane at 1.30pm.

Coillte will be at the Committee on Agriculture to be quizzed on forestry policy and strategy from 5.30pm.

Here are the full Dáil, Seanad and Committee schedules.