The culture of consultation needed for North-South cooperation on easing the lockdown.

Many of you will have watched An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar address the nation about the Irish governments exit strategy from the lock down measures. I am sure there will be other posts to debate that and Northern Ireland’s in the coming weeks but I wanted to focus on this and no I am not talking about North-South cooperation, as that is happening, my post is more about North-South consultation.

Disclaimer, I know these things are agonised over and debated with relevant stakeholders, but this is not the first time this has happened. When the Irish government made the decision to close schools, the Executive wasn’t given a heads up either about that. Nobody is expecting both administrations to hand a veto over the others policy, that would be foolish in the extreme. But during the Brexit negotiations the Irish government rightly campaigned around Europe about the border communities who use that crossing on a daily basis and who would be hurt by a disruption to the free flow of movement. Well that has not changed. Thousands of people live in one jurisdiction and work in the other, or they shop, socialise or regularly visit the other.

In 2017, Leo Varadkar told the Dail about his frustration that during the Brexit process if he wanted to hear the views of Scotland or Wales, he could listen to the views of their respective governments. Well, the administration in Northern Ireland is back now. It is important to talk to one another and let them know what each others plans are. For the sake of a few phone calls between Arlene Foster, Michelle O’Neill and himself. This would be a lot easier.

The Taoiseach said himself on the 17th March;

Viruses pay no attention to borders… race… nationality or gender.

They are the shared enemy of all humanity.

I couldn’t agree more.

Yes, the various bodies are cooperating which is great, but the culture at the top of government needs to be there to match it.

Both administrations need to know how the other is planning and moving forward, because for many on this island their lives in one shape or other are governed by the other. A heads up and briefings are needed and for those whose lives cross that border, this isn’t a small thing. The two administrations don’t need to move in sync but they can’t be pulling in different directions on some aspects of policy. As we look to the future, we need to see coordination and linked planning across the island and also consideration for what the rest of the UK are also doing too.

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