Is Irelands access to EU single-market in danger?
EU officials discussed emergency plans to restrict Irelands access to the blocs single market. This means goods leaving Ireland for the EU will have to be inspected, causing delays. These plans were proposed as a possible solution to the UKs refusal to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Northern Ireland protocol  The Northern Ireland Protocol was an agreement between the EU and UK to prevent a land border being set up on the island of Ireland after Brexit. Certain goods arriving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain now has to be inspected at Northern Irelands ports. The UK has shown unwillingness to carry out the inspections on good the protocol demands. This is due to practical difficulties and opposition for the protocol from the DUP . Irelands restricted access  Since EU officials have made little progress trying to get the UK to implement the protocol, they have now turned their attention to the Republic of Ireland. Another way, EU officials think, of preventing a border on the island is to do checks on goods entering the Republic of Ireland instead. This would mean Irelands access to the EU single market will be restricted. Under this plan, Irish goods going to other EU countries will be treated as if they are coming from outside the EU. Goods being exported from Ireland into the EU would take longer to reach their destination. This would remove some of the pressure off of the UK and Northern Ireland and place it on Ireland instead. Dublin officials see this proposal as unfair punishment for the UKs decision for Brexit and lack of organisation. Diplomats and officials are confident US president Joe Biden would defend Irelands position in this issue. At first glance, it seems like these restrictions wont happen. EU officials have dismissed the plan as low-level kite flying. The EU was adamant in stating that they will not allow the former coloniser to force Ireland out of the internal market. That being said, the UK and unionists in Northern Ireland have been consistent in acting in their own self-interest. The idea of restricting Irish access to the single-market has already been discussed in the past, so its nothing new.