Ireland and Brexit negotiations: Deal-makers toy with our future

“MAY you live in interesting times” is an old saying purported to be a Chinese curse disguised as a blessing.

It is apt at present, considering the prospect of a harder-than-hard Brexit, the policies of Donald Trump, the rise of the far right in Europe and, most importantly, the failure of EU leaders and institutions to grapple with any one of those concerns.

In a prelude to triggering Article 50 and beginning formal negotiations on leaving the EU, British Prime Minister Theresa May has declared that she would prefer to end up with no deal rather than a bad deal.