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Peace process agreements in Northern Ireland are not dependent on the UK remaining in the EU, the region\u2019s attorney general has said.<\/p>\nPeace process agreements in Northern Ireland are not dependent on the UK remaining in the EU, the region\u2019s attorney general has said.<\/p>\n
John Larkin QC said the EU was referenced only once in the British-Irish Agreement \u2013 the treaty that gave effect to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement \u2013 and that was only a brief mention in the preamble.<\/p>\n
Mr Larkin was making a submission at Belfast High Court during an ongoing legal challenge against a potential no-deal Brexit.<\/p>\n
He said one paragraph of the treaty preamble referred to the UK and Ireland wishing to improve relations between their countries as \u201cfriendly neighbors and as partners in the European Union\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat can\u2019t be boosted or given a steroid injection as to make it an obligation of continuing membership of the EU on one or both parties,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Larkin also argued domestic UK law could not prevent a no-deal because provision for exiting the EU without an agreement was enshrined in Article 50 of Lisbon Treaty, which took primacy.<\/p>\n
Three applicants, including victims\u2019 campaigner Raymond McCord, are challenging the UK Government\u2019s handling of the Brexit process, arguing exiting the EU without a deal would breach the 1998 accord and negatively impact the peace process.<\/p>\n
In court today, Mr McCord\u2019s lawyer Ronan Lavery QC told the court he had written to Government lawyers asking for an undertaking that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will comply with the vote of Parliament to delay Brexit if no agreement is reached.<\/p>\n
Barry McDonald QC, representing another of the applicants, urged judge Lord Justice Bernard McCloskey, if he found in their favor, to compel the Government to abide by the law.<\/p>\n
Referring to speculation Mr Johnson could send two letters to the EU, one asking for an extension and the other stating he did not want an extension, Mr McDonald suggested there was an attempt to \u201csabotage\u201d the will of Parliament.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s an indication of an intent to subvert the purpose of the Act,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dr Tony McGleenan QC, representing the Government, began outlining his case before proceedings rose for lunch on what is the second day of the case.<\/p>\n