A reality check - Coveney on Brexit negotiations

Tánaiste Simon Coveney’s assertion yesterday that a House of Commons a law precluding another extension of Brexit negotiations will not force the EU to rush into a deal was a badly-needed, rational and welcome reality check — especially as he would not have made such a clear statement unless he knew this view was shared in Brussels.

Whether or not it is seen as such by the “Get Brexit Done” Conservatives is another matter entirely.

Unfortunately, and despite the centrality of the issue in the recent British election, the depth of understanding around the complexity of all the issues involved and the timescales needed to undo decades old relationships remains an open question.

During the UK election, complexity was glossed over with emotion, and no little dash of manipulated patriotism, to offer a mantra — get Brexit done — that could not survive detached scrutiny.

It is difficult to argue that those who won power in December did not know in their red-white-and-blue hearts that there was not, nor is there, a quick fix to this dilemma.

Fool me once, foolish me, fool me twice...