We warned you Leo! Varadkar Brexit showboating BACKFIRES as expert predicts Ireland crisis
Leo Varadkar hits out at 'bullies' in Dail chamber
Ray Bassett also predicted resentment against the deal signed by Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen would fuel euroscepticism and could eventually lead to “Irexit”. The agreement has already been roundly condemned by representatives of Ireland’s fishing industry who accuse Irish domestic leaders, and those in Brussels, of betraying their interests.
And Mr Bassett, Ireland’s former ambassador to Canada, Jamaica and the Bahamas, warned Mr Varadkar and successor Micheal Martin they only had themselves to blame for the looming backlash.
He told Express.co.uk: “The Irish Government successfully made Brexit a patriotic issue.
“The mainstream media joined in and anybody who acted rationally, and said it was in Ireland’s interest that the UK got a good deal, was regarded as a traitor.
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“They hyped up the rhetoric because their argument lacked substance.”
Mr Bassett added: “The Irish establishment were only too glad to be used as a weapon against London.
“They built up the line that they were defending an open border on the island of Ireland even though the UK was equally determined to avoid any new installations.
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“Now it is clear to the Irish public that Brexit did not turn out as Leo and Coveney had forecast.
“And this is making people think they were led up the garden path.”
Mr Bassett, an advocate of Ireland following the UK’s lead and leaving the bloc, warned: “With the UK out of the way, the Irish establishment will no longer be able to play the anglophobia card to bolster the EU.
“Now it is clear to the Irish public that Brexit did not turn out as Leo and Coveney had forecast.
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I fully expect euroscepticism to rise strongly in Ireland
Ray Bassett
“And this is making people think they were led up the garden path.”
Mr Bassett, an advocate of Ireland following the UK’s lead and leaving the bloc, warned: “With the UK out of the way, the Irish establishment will no longer be able to play the anglophobia card to bolster the EU.
“I fully expect euroscepticism to rise strongly in Ireland.”
Speaking earlier this week, Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation, said: “Recent statements on Brexit and on fishing emanating from our political leadership have pushed many fishing communities and many of those engaged in Ireland’s fishing industry over the edge”.
He added: “We in the industry have spent most of our days since Christmas Eve desperately trying to calculate the devastation that is foisted upon our Irish people by the agreement reached between the UK and EU without a shred of assistance from our department officials.
“This is a national asset which is to be stripped from us, traded and gifted as part of a deal with our nearest neighbour the UK and so-called European partners.
“This is a horrific betrayal of the negotiating mandate the European Union said was in place to protect our rights as EU citizens.
“Whoever this deal benefits among our European neighbours it certainly confers no benefits on Irish fishing communities and inflicts only pain and loss.
“No account is taken of the very many other local industries dotted along our coastline in isolated villages and small towns that are dependent upon this very significant loss in income of €87 million per annum in each and every year, forever!
“This is a disgrace and should be the source of huge embarrassment for anyone claiming that this wholly unwelcome, forced and imposed sacrifice is acceptable!”
Fine Gael leader Mr Varadkar was Taoiseach for much of the four years following the 2016 referendum, during which time he stuck close to official EU line.
He stepped down in favour of Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin in June 2020 in accordance with the terms of a coalition deal between the two parties and the Greens, thrashed out over several months after the inconclusive general election held the previous February.
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