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Politics

13th Nov 2018

EU and UK negotiators have reportedly agreed a solution to the Irish border problem

Carl Kinsella

Brexit

This would represent a major leap forward in Brexit negotiations.

According to RTÉ News, an agreement has been struck by negotiators for the European Union and United Kingdom that would deal with the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The text of the agreement stipulates that a temporary UK-wide customs arrangement would be introduced beyond the Brexit deadline in order to facilitate the continuing of a soft border across Ireland.

RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly has reported that the deal contains “specific provisions for Northern Ireland, which go deeper on the issue of customs and alignment on the rules of the single market than for the rest of the UK”.

The “agreement” in question is not final. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed in the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon that he has not spoken to his officials in the last several hours.

The “backstop” has been a major source of contention between Theresa May and the DUP, whose 10 seats prop up the Tory government in Westminster.

The DUP have been steadfastly opposed to any solution which sees Northern Ireland separated from the rest of the United Kingdom along economic or regulatory lines.

The issue of the Irish border has proved a major sticking point for Brexit negotiators on both sides, as economic and regulatory divergence from the European Union would necessitate checkpoints between Northern Ireland and the south.

A spokesperson for Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has since said: “Negotiations between the EU and U.K. on a Withdrawal Agreement are ongoing and have not concluded. Negotiators are still engaged and a number of issues are outstanding. We are not commenting further on leaks in the media.”

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