Ireland at top of list as UK is set to lay out Brexit plans

THE UK’s Brexit Department is to publish a series of detailed papers on Brexit next week.

The sharp acceleration in the pace of Brexit planning has been welcomed by Irish Government sources after months of uncertainty.

The Brexit Department told the Irish Mail on Sunday that the three formal papers would cover proposals around issues unique to Northern Ireland and Ireland; continuity in the availability of goods; and confidentiality and access to official documents following the UK’s withdrawal.

The MoS has further learned that on Northern Ireland the position paper will ‘focus very firmly on technological solutions to the border question. The emphasis is very much on a frictionless, seamless border.’

However, it is understood that the UK wants it to be a customs border.

The Brexit Department said: ‘Intense work is under way to prepare for formal talks on the future, deep and special

‘Tech solutions to the border question’

partnership that the UK wants to strike with the European Union.’

Significantly, given the increasingly tense relations between the UK and Ireland, the first set of documents will outline how the unique AngloIrish relationship will be managed.

The Brexit Department also said that in order to show ‘the UK’s readiness to begin talks on the all-important future partnership, a series of broader papers will also be published in the run-up to the October European Council’.

The first of these, it said, ‘will outline detailed proposals for a new customs arrangement’.

The move could ease growing Irish concerns about the economic consequences of a disorderly Brexit.

A senior Irish Government source said: ‘In terms of providing greater clarity on how Brexit may work, this will certainly be welcomed.’

Despite recent public spats, one senior source here said: ‘The Irish Government continues to work closely with its British counterpart on this issue’.

Fianna Fáil told the MoS: ‘The move by the British Government to publish a series of position papers next week on issues pertaining to Brexit, and in particular to the situation with regard to Ireland, is welcome.’