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The Taoiseach has dismissed one of Theresa May\u2019s suggestions aimed at winning parliamentary support for her Brexit deal.<\/p>\nThe Taoiseach has dismissed one of Theresa May\u2019s suggestions aimed at winning parliamentary support for her Brexit deal.<\/p>\n
Leo Varadkar said he could not give Britain a legal assurance around a start date for a post-Brexit trade deal.<\/p>\n
Such an intervention could help the British Prime Minister win over Parliament because it would clarify the date when the Irish border backstop was no longer needed.<\/p>\n
For us to make a legal commitment to have a done deal at a particular moment or time, that is not possible because it is not in our gift to deliver that, we cannot promise anything that is not in our power to deliver<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said some of Mrs May\u2019s proposals made sense and others would be \u201cdifficult\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us to make a legal commitment to have a done deal at a particular moment or time, that is not possible because it is not in our gift to deliver that, we cannot promise anything that is not in our power to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said they would begin negotiations on the future relationship as soon as possible once the withdrawal treaty was dealt with.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can commit to our best endeavors and say we will work towards a target date (for a trade deal).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not possible to say that we will definitely meet that date.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe future relationship treaty will be more complicated, it will have to be ratified by 28 member parliaments.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is not just an Irish issue, it is very much a European issue as well. It is very much a case of the European Union being one-for-all and all-for-one<\/p>\n
The backstop, which will come into effect if a wider trade deal between the UK and EU fails to materialize, will see Northern Ireland adhere to a range of EU regulatory rules in order to facilitate free-flowing trade across the border.<\/p>\n
The British Prime Minister is facing widespread opposition to the measure at Westminster amid claims it will undermine the integrity of the United Kingdom by creating an economic border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.<\/p>\n
In Brussels for the second day of the European Council meeting, Mr Varadkar said he was \u201cvery satisfied\u201d with the summit conclusions on Brexit which made clear the withdrawal agreement was not \u201cup for renegotiation\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach said he still believed a no deal was an \u201cunlikely scenario\u201d despite the EU ramping up preparations for such an eventuality.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Europe, we reaffirmed our commitment for the need for a backstop,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn open border between Northern Ireland and Ireland can\u2019t be a back door to the single market.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why European countries also very strongly support backstop. It is not just an Irish issue, it is very much a European issue as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very much a case of the European Union being one-for-all and all-for-one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said the issue could not be deferred to the trade talks post-withdrawal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about protecting the peace, keeping the border open, also protecting the single market and making sure we answer this question of the Irish border now, so no side can use it as leverage in the future relationship talks, which we are willing to start as soon as the withdrawal agreement is ratified.\u201d<\/p>\n