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The European Union is \u201chappy to give\u201d the UK fresh assurances over the Northern Irish backstop, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has reportedly said.<\/p>\nThe European Union is \u201chappy to give\u201d the UK fresh assurances over the Northern Irish backstop, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has reportedly said.<\/p>\n
Ahead of a vote on Theresa May\u2019s Withdrawal Agreement in Parliament next week, the Taoiseach told the Irish Times: \u201cWe don\u2019t want to trap the UK into anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
His comments during a trip to Mali could give fresh hope to the Prime Minister, whose Brexit plan faces almost certain defeat without input from Brussels that would make it more palatable to rebellious MPs in her own party.<\/p>\n
It came as Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay denied a report that the Government was talking to Brussels about extending Article 50 to delay Britain\u2019s departure from the EU past March.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the Irish Times, Mr Varadkar said there was currently \u201cclose contact between the UK and EU institutions on whether a further set of written guarantees, explanations and assurances could make a difference\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cBear in mind, a lot of the opposition to the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop might be based on suppositions and misunderstandings about our intent as a European Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want to trap the UK into anything \u2013 we want to get on to the talks about the future relationship right away. I think it\u2019s those kind of assurances we are happy to give.\u201d<\/p>\n
The concept of the backstop \u2013 an agreement governing the customs status of the Ireland\/Northern Ireland border in the event that Britain and the EU cannot agree a long-term relationship by the end of 2021 \u2013 has been the main sticking point preventing Mrs May\u2019s Withdrawal Agreement from being passed by Parliament.<\/p>\n
It is opposed by a hardline group of MPs from her own Tory Party, as well as their Democratic Unionist Party allies.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Brussels said the agreed Brexit deal was \u201cthe best and the only deal possible\u201d and the European Commission was focused on watching what happened in the vote.<\/p>\n
Without some activity from Brussels, Mrs May is expected to lose the so-called meaningful vote on January 15, which was postponed in December when it became clear that the Government would be defeated.<\/p>\n
Brexiteer former Brexit secretary David Davis dismissed the Taoiseach\u2019s comments, saying that the EU would come back to the table to renegotiate the Brexit deal if the UK \u201cholds fast\u201d as the deadline for leaving approaches.<\/p>\n
He told BBC Radio 4\u2019s Today program that the EU was \u201ctesting the mettle of the British Government\u201d.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cThe simple truth is that they will hold fast to their line \u2013 this is the traditional approach of the European Commission, the European Union \u2013 they will hold fast to their line to the last possible minute and then, if we hold fast to our line, then they will actually come back and renegotiate.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that if that occurred we should demand legal assurances and \u201csome sort of undertaking on a free trade deal\u201d, saying: \u201cThis will get very, very sticky, very close to the end, that is what will happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we need to work out what is negotiable and what isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Mr Barclay, who took on the Brexit role after the resignation of Mr Davis\u2019s successor, Dominic Raab, said the comment \u201creflects what PM has been saying for some time \u2013 that the deal she has negotiated is in the interests of both the EU and the UK\u201d.<\/p>\n
He went on to deny reports that Article 50 could be extended, saying it would \u201cgenerate some very practical issues\u201d, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay has said.<\/p>\n
He told Today that he had not had any talks with the EU \u201cin terms of an extension\u201d, the day after Digital Minister Margot James suggested that Brexit could be delayed in order to avoid a no-deal scenario.<\/p>\n
Mr Barclay said: \u201cIt\u2019s not a unilateral decision for the UK. That is not a decision the UK Government could take, it would require the consent of all 27 member states.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would also generate some very practical issues, for example EU parliamentary elections at the end of May.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was no sign of a breakthrough among MPs who have vowed to vote against the Prime Minister\u2019s deal as they left Downing Street following a drinks reception for Tory MPs on Monday evening.<\/p>\n
Conservative former Cabinet minister and Brexiteer Theresa Villiers said the evening \u201chasn\u2019t changed my view\u201d and that she would still not be supporting the agreement.<\/p>\n
Another reception will be held on Wednesday as part of Mrs May\u2019s charm offensive.<\/p>\n
And more than 200 MPs who signed a letter to the PM urging her to rule out a no-deal Brexit have been invited to meet her at Downing Street on Tuesday.<\/p>\n