Sir, – In light of the recent Irish Government’s advert in our national newspapers cautioning, “Are you prepared for Brexit?”, I recall getting my iodine tablets in the event of a nuclear disaster, but I am still waiting for my Brexit tablets to arrive. – Yours, etc,
BERNARD CAREY,
Mountshannon,
Co Clare.
A chara, – I made a backstop potato omelette the other night. Republican spuds, British eggs and Border county onions, with all the ingredients supplied by a German retailer, and the whole process was guided by a tried and tested Spanish recipe. Rarely has my frying pan hosted such a heated debate. – Is mise,
BILLY Ó HANLUAIN,
Kimmage, Dublin 12.
Sir, – It now appears that Theresa May will give the British parliament three chances to change its mind, but not one to the British public. – Yours, etc,
DERMOT FOGARTY,
Swords,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It appears that Donald Trump is trying to woo Britain with the promise of a trade deal as an incentive to leave. There must be some things right about the oft-maligned EU if both Mr Trump and Mr Putin are trying to break it. – Yours, etc,
ROSSA BUNWORTH,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3 .
Sir, – The Duke of Wellington purportedly said that “the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton”. Given the current state of Brexit, perhaps it is time now to plough up those fields and plant cabbages. – Yours, etc,
MARIE BREEN,
Drimnagh, Dublin 12.
Sir, – On December 8th, 2017, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described the backstop as “politically bullet proof”. This is not the case because it does not cover the current possibility of a UK exit without a deal and may actually be the main factor leading to it.
Recently he called for a long extension to article 50 during which the UK would fundamentally reconsider its approach to Brexit and that this would result in a generous and understanding response from the EU27.
Since Mr Varadkar seems keen to rewind the clock and start the process again, he might reconsider the wisdom of his approach to the backstop. A time-limit to it, which so far he refuses to accept, would secure passage of the exit deal at Westminster, put back any possibility of a hard border for up to 10 years, or more likely indefinitely, and provide much-needed calm and space to discuss the future relationships. –Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GANNON,
Chuchtown,
Dublin 14.
Sir , – I have never been a fan of afternoon reality TV but the antics in Westminster are addictive. A long extension, please. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL STOREY,
Glencar, Sligo.
Sir, – Theresa May repeatedly bringing her deal back to Westminster, only to be defeated again and again, reminds one of Sisyphus the king of Ephyrus, who was punished for his deceit and self-aggrandisement by having to repeatedly roll a large boulder up a hill, only for it to roll down again as he approached the top. Sisyphus had to do this for eternity, and it’s beginning to look like we are doomed to watch Theresa May struggle pointlessly with her unwanted deal for eternity also. – Yours, etc,
Canon JAMES
MORIARTY,
Dublin 4.