Photographer: Anthony Devlin / Bloomberg
Photographer: Anthony Devlin / Bloomberg
The European Union had to quickly change its new one vaccine checks after sparking outrage over limiting exports to Northern Ireland, fueling tensions that nearly stood in the way of Brexit negotiations.
Hours after the bloc announced the controversial new measures, the European Commission issued one statement to clarify that it “will ensure that the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol remains unaffected.”
The original plan included an option for the EU to invoke an emergency clause in the Brexit deal to prevent vaccines from going to Northern Ireland from the bloc. The threat of restrictions between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland was met with dismay in Dublin, London and Belfast, with all sides pressuring the EU to change course.
But while the EU’s executive arm won’t trigger the controversial clause, it hasn’t completely removed the threat. It warned it would consider using “all tools” if vaccine export bans are circumvented.
Even the vague prospect of reintroducing checkpoints would upset a delicate matter political balance. The key to the Brexit deal was avoiding controls between the north and south of Ireland, a flashpoint border area that has endured decades of violence.
The EU’s action brought rare agreement even to traditional political enemies in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein said it was a “grave mistake,” while the Democratic Unionist Party described it as an “incredible act of hostility.”
Having to make a statement in Brussels just before midnight on Friday was the last in a series communication disasters for the EU’s executive arm, which started a week ago with news that AstraZeneca Plc will not deliver as many vaccines as promised.
The EU’s export proposals had been drawn up in a hurry, and the controversial sections on Northern Ireland were added only at the end of the design process, said a person familiar with the matter.
Any manipulation with the fragile Irish border issue does not only have political consequences. It would also be a concern companies in Northern Ireland, who have had problems importing goods from Great Britain since Brexit took effect on January 1.
The vaccination measures, which take effect Saturday, require drug manufacturers to seek consent before sending doses made in the EU to other countries. Approval takes place if the amount does not threaten the agreed deliveries in the block.
Even with the change to the Northern Ireland issue, the measures remain hugely controversial. The EU has been criticized for controls by the World Health Organization, companies and governments outside the bloc.
– With the help of Tim Ross