Yes, a deal can be done... but it’s unlikely to meet deadline
Leo upbeat after meeting with DUP
THE Taoiseach has said he believes ‘a deal can be done’ to avoid Britain crashing out of the EU – although it is unclear if it will be reached before the March 29 exit date.
Mr Varadkar was speaking to RTÉ last night after a meeting with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, key allies of Theresa May and fierce critics of the current exit deal between Britain and the EU. He said there was more that unites the DUP and Irish Government than divides the two sides, and ‘often when you share all the major objectives, it is possible to come to a solution’.
His comments came ahead of his meeting with British Prime Minister Mrs May last night. However, Mr Varadkar sought to dampen expectations of a breakthrough on the issue of the Irish border.
Mr Varadkar said ahead of the meeting that ‘today is not a day for negotiations’. ‘Today is a day for us to share our perspectives and for us to listen to each other.’
After holding talks in Brussels on Thursday, Mrs May flew to Dublin last night. Touching down in Baldonnel, she was brought directly to the former home of the Guinness family in the Phoenix Park, where Mr Varadkar was waiting. After the dinner, she was whisked away again, returning to London by RAF flight.
She was joined for the private dinner at the official State guesthouse by the UK’s Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins and her chief-of-staff Gavin Barwell.
Mr Varadkar said that while the meal presented an opportunity to ‘share perspectives’ on Brexit, actual negotiations ‘can only be between the European Union and the United Kingdom’.
Speaking during a visit to Belfast for talks with representatives of Northern Ireland’s main parties, the Taoiseach said: ‘I think everybody wants to avoid no-deal, everybody wants to avoid a hard border and everybody wants to continue to have a very close political and economic relationship between Britain and Ireland no matter want happens.
‘There is much more that unites us than divides us and time is running short, and we need to get to an agreement as soon as possible, and I’ll be working very hard and redoubling my efforts, along with government, to do that.’
He added: ‘I believe ultimately we are going to have to get this deal over the line and I am determined to do that.’
Mrs May’s office said she would be underscoring her desire for legally binding changes to the Brexit deal she sealed with the EU late last year. It was overwhelmingly rejected by the UK Parliament last month, largely over concerns about a provision designed to ensure an open border.
Speaking after her meeting with the Taoiseach yesterday, DUP leader Arlene Foster said it had been positive, insisting she was focused on helping find a deal that suited the UK and EU.
‘We want to get a deal, that’s what we are engaged in at the minute – trying to get a deal that will be acceptable to members in the House of Commons.’
Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill said the Taoiseach had assured her he was committed to the backstop and Withdrawal Agreement and she said her party would hold him to his word.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said he felt reassured that the Irish Government and EU were standing with the people of Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Alliance leader Naomi Long said she and her party colleague Stephen Farry had had a very constructive discussion with the Taoiseach.
‘It’s fairly clear [after their talks], that those that have [this week] been suggesting there is some chance of the UK government and the Irish Government doing some kind of side deal without the EU are chasing after a no-way scenario.’
Mrs May driven to Farmleigh ‘When you share all major objectives’