Tag Archives: EU

A double-edged sword: Reframing Northern Ireland’s relationship with Europe and the world

By Lara Hatwell The relationship between Northern Ireland and Europe has dominated the headlines since the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was signed in 2020. This has largely been a result of the Democratic Unionist Party, the (then) largest party’s opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol, and its subsequent refusal to elect a speaker, leaving the Stormont… Read More »

Law French – When Law and Language Collide

I can guess what you thought when you looked at today’s date! Ah 31st May, the anniversary of the execution of Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria.  No? Okay, fair enough. However back in 1076 this date was taken as the end of the Revolt of the Earls.  It was arguably the end of Anglo-Saxon Britain.  As… Read More »

Three days is a long time in politics

On Wednesday Theresa May notified the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, of the UK’s intention to leave the European Union. The six-page letter triggering the Article 50 process is here. And the response?  Donald Tusk was clear: ‘There is no reason to pretend that this is a happy day, neither in Brussels, nor… Read More »

From out of the woods did a cuckoo fly

(A traditional Czech Carol translated by Percy Dearmer). This traditional Czech carol, about a cuckoo, a pidgeon and a dove, reminds us of the importance of diversity in the bird population.  The Birds Directive  is a codified version of Directive 79/409/EEC, which is the EU’s oldest piece of nature legislation.  This is the sort of… Read More »