Brokenshire pledges a pragmatic approach to border issue
NORTHERN Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire has promised that the government will be pragmatic in finding a solution to the issue of the post-Brexit border.
He was responding to comments made by the Republic’s Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, that Northern Ireland should continue to apply the rules of the single market and the customs union after the UK leaves the EU in order to avoid a hard border.
Speaking at the British-Irish Council summit in Jersey, the Secretary of State stressed that the Prime Minister had made it clear that the UK will be leaving both the single market and the customs union under Brexit.
But he added: “We are very clear on the need to be pragmatic and open to these practical solutions that recognise the unique circumstances.
“That is what David Davis, the Secretary of State for Leaving the EU has been focused on in his negotiations in this first phase — making that sufficient progress — and I think there has been good progress.”
Mr Varadkar issued his com- ments after the leak of a European Commission document which suggests that the Republic is now pushing hard for concrete reassurance on the border question ahead of the crucial EU leaders’ summit in December.
Mr Varadkar commented: “When it comes to the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, what we have all agreed to is that there shouldn’t be a hard border, there should be no physical infrastructure along that border and that there should be no return to the borders of the past.
“It is our view, and has been our view for a very long time, that the only way that can be achieved is if the United Kingdom as a whole or Northern Ire- land continues to apply the rules of the customs union and the single market.
“That doesn’t mean that they have to be members of it, but it would mean continuing to apply the rules of the single market and the customs union.
“That’s the position that we hold and the best way to achieve our common objectives.”
Mr Varadkar noted that the Isle of Man was not a member of either the UK or the EU, and traded with each under a protocol to the Treaty of Rome which involves the island applying the body of EU law, known as the “acquis”.
He said they were looking for a “bespoke solution”.