The Taoiseach was speaking ahead of today’s talks with Theresa May and Northern Irish political leaders.
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We need a new strategic partnership with Ireland. At the moment, that end seems endlessly remote.
Were it not for the backstop, May’s deal would get over the line – with support from an overwhelming majority of Conservatives, including us.
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Ireland risks a hard border, imposed on it by the rest of the EU, if a way isn’t found by all parties of climbing off the self-contradictory backstop clauses.
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The myth has it that there never was such a plan – in fact, DexEU had a proposal to fulfil its promise of no ‘hard border’ while still overseeing a proper customs regime.
“Two years later no-one knows what they want, even the Tory party. Theresa May says one thing and Boris Johnson says another.”
Under international law, it can only be a temporary arrangement – and this must be put in explicit, legally binding, terms.