The Taoiseach has slammed the stubborn stance of Boris Johnson’s government on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Micheál Martin said the “my way or no way” attitude of the British Prime Minister could trigger a post-Brexit economic war with the EU and threatens the peace process.
He added that the UK has “moved too far in a unilateral way.”
UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, is attempting to tear up the Protocol which makes trade easier after Brexit and avoids the need for a hard border between North and South.
The British unilateral action has led to threats of a trade war from the EU, which would be very painful for Ireland as we would be stuck in the middle of it.
And last night the ante was upped again when leading US politician, Nancy Pelosi, also threatened economic sanctions if the Good Friday Agreement comes under threat.
Mr Martin was speaking ahead of crunch talks with the leaders of all the Northern parties in Belfast on Friday afternoon.
He told BBC’s Good Morning Ulster: “I spoke to Boris Johnson and I have to nail this, this idea that somehow the European Union is being inflexible on this is just not the truth, it doesn’t stack up.
“What has happened now is a certain unilateralism on behalf of the British government saying ‘our way or no way’ and you don’t negotiate with the European Union on that basis, particularly when you have signed off on the agreement that you now don’t like.
“Professional, serious negotiations between the United Kingdom government and the European Union is the only way to resolve this.”
Meanwhile, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Ms Pelosi, said it was "deeply concerning that the United Kingdom now seeks to unilaterally discard the Northern Ireland Protocol."
Ms Pelosi added: "The Good Friday Accords are the bedrock of peace in Northern Ireland and a beacon of hope for the world.
"Ensuring there remains no physical border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland is absolutely necessary for upholding this landmark agreement, which has transformed Northern Ireland.
"Respectful of the will of the British people and of Brexit, I urge constructive, collaborative and good-faith negotiations to implement an agreement that upholds peace."
Yesterday (FRI) was the first time DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, UUP (Ulster Unionist Party) leader, Doug Beattie and SDLP (Social Democratic and Labour Party) leader Colum Eastwood, met the Taoiseach in person since the Assembly elections earlier this month.
Mr Martin had already met Sinn Féin northern leader, Michelle O’Neill, and Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long, in the past couple of weeks before yesterday’s discussions.
Sinn Féin is now the largest party in Northern Ireland, holding 27 of the 90 seats in the Assembly.
The Alliance Party also had a great election, increasing their tally from 6 to 17 seats.
Mr Martin held an hour-long video call with Ms Long on Thursday night.
Mr Donaldson said his party was "happy to engage with the taoiseach regarding the protocol and how our two countries operate on matters of mutual concern".
But he added: "the functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly and executive, however, are entirely matters for the Northern Ireland parties and the UK government."
“The current protocol is incompatible with the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement".
"The Irish government can't have both."
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