Is the border in Ireland really a deal-breaker for the Brexit negotiations?

WHO knew that when the PM had to break off talks in Brussels to take a call from DUP leader Arlene Foster, that she had secretly agreed to sell Northern Ireland down the river? It is appalling. If Brexit is to mean anything at all, then the whole of the UK leaves the EU on the same terms. You cannot make exceptions for one part of the country to have a different relationship with the EU in order to pacify the Republicans, or the EU for that matter. What has emerged is that Northern Ireland whom, it would seem, No 10 forgot to include in discussions with Dublin and Brussels, were in effect going to remain in the single market and customs union — and stay shackled to the EU in all but name! As it began to unravel in Brussels, a flurry of protestations began to flood in from Wales, Scotland and even London that they, too, would want the same terms as May had thought she had secured in respect of

Northern Ireland. The woman is making us look like fools.

ALLAN MULHOLLAND, Balby, S. Yorks. Surely the situation for the north/ south irish border is exactly the same if a free trade deal is agreed with the eu. No tariffs or hold-ups. And, presumably, any existing checks on people crossing the border can continue as they are. None of this would entail any change in Northern ireland’s legal status. i don’t see the problem.

Ian Phillips, Harbertonford, Devon.

WE NEED a border between Europe and the UK and if that means reinstatement of proper controls along the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, so be it. If that means no trade talks, so be it. We should not be held to ransom by the Irish PM. Didn’t the Irish vote against the EU a few years ago? Until they were told to vote again because they had given the wrong answer . . .

Chris Humphreys, Bristol. Did it not occur to theresa May and her team that Brussels is doing their best to assist southern ireland in its dream of a united ireland? thank goodness the Dup saw through the whole thing.

JOHN EVANS, Wokingham, Berks.

FORTY non-EU countries have borders with EU countries, so why don’t we ask some of them how they get on with trading together?

T. George Keller, address supplied. the irish and the eu say we must agree a ‘borderless’ ireland before they can talk about trade. this is putting the cart before the horse big time!

Name supplied, glasgow.

WE SHOULD have had Arlene Foster negotiating from the beginning. It would all have been sorted.

Charlotte Joseph, Manningtree, essex. solution to the irish border problem: the irish republic leaves the eu. Brian Maple, Loudwater, High Wycombe.