We haven’t prepared at all for a hard border on our island, claims Irish leader

IRISH PREMIER Leo Varadkar says his government has made “no preparations whatsoever” for a hard border on the island.

Despite the looming possibility of a no-deal Brexit, Mr Varadkar said he felt that if the Irish government made plans to facilitate a hard border it would become a “self-fulfilling prophecy”.

Speaking at a media briefing in Dublin the Taoiseach said the draft agreement currently tabled by Prime Minister Theresa May is the key to avoiding physical infrastructure on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

“We are not preparing for a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland,” he said.

“We have made no preparations whatsoever for physical infrastructure or anything like that.

“We certainly do not want it to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

Mr Varadkar remained adamant about the border issue, but added there had already been some talks with the UK and Ireland’s European partners about difficulties Ireland could face if the UK changed their customs regulations. “The answer I’ve been giving people all along is the honest truth,” he reiterated. “We’re not making plans for a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Our focus is entirely on getting an agreement that ensures that that doesn’t happen.”

The Irish Government unveiled contingency plans to cope with a potential no-deal Brexit on Wednesday, identifying affected sectors that would require new legislation.

The no-deal plans include the purchase of land at ports to prevent congestion from new customs. Mr Varadkar said: “There is a real understanding across the EU that this isn’t a typical border, that this is a border that goes through villages, goes through farms, goes through businesses and of course is a border that people fought and killed other people over.”