The Taoiseach said there is a "significant and growing risk of no-deal."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that that there is a "significant and growing risk" of a no-deal Brexit and in this event, "some” of the checks needed on goods and live animals “will take place near the border” - though “as far as possible, they will take place in ports, airports and at business level”
Speaking at an event in Dublin, the Taoiseach spoke at length about the potential of a no-deal scenario.
"There will be checks on good and on live animals. As far as possible, these will take place in the ports, airports, and at business level. But some may need to take place near the border. We're working out the details of this with the European Commission and we'll inform the public and businesses as soon as we know what the outcome will be," he said.
https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/1169696502199050241
At present, the UK hasn’t proposed any viable alternatives to supersede the backstop.
On this issue, Varadkar said: “We are open to alternatives, as we always have been. But they must be realistic ones, legally binding and workable in practice. Sadly, we have received no such proposals to date."
"There is a significant and growing risk of no-deal. We don’t want to see a no-deal Brexit and we will continue our efforts to avoid one until the very end, but not at any cost. Unlike some, I see no upsides to no-deal. I do fear it. But I am prepared for it politically," he said.
Varadkar also stated that Ireland will not be dragged out of the EU single market and he also addressed Jacob Rees-Mogg's recent comments about Charles Stewart Parnell.
“Parnell believed that our future prosperity depended on us being ‘hopeful, energetic and determined’. They are three qualities which are needed now more than ever as we deal with the challenge of Brexit," said Varadkar.
https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/1169694785403334657
