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The European Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier is set to visit Dublin for talks on Brexit.<\/p>\nThe European Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier is set to visit Dublin for talks on Brexit.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for the Taoiseach confirmed that Mr Barnier and his team would travel to Dublin on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is part of his frequent visits to EU27 capitals,\u201d the spokesman said.<\/p>\n
“The aim is to take stock of developments in London as well as the ongoing planning for a possible no-deal scenario.”<\/p>\n
The visit comes ahead of next week’s meeting of EU leaders in Brussels and shortly after German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Dublin yesterday.<\/p>\n
Mr Barnier will meet with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe in a bid to plan a way forward for the EU.<\/p>\n
Simon Coveney said it was not surprising that Mr Barnier would visit Dublin before the summit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat he will want to do first of all is show solidarity with Ireland,\u201d Mr Coveney told RTE News.<\/p>\n
“But also I think he\u2019ll want a detailed conversation in terms of Ireland\u2019s perspective on the most recent ask from the Prime Minister for an extension of time.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cIreland is, of course, willing to give the process more time, but we like many other EU member states will want to see a plan to go with that to show that there is a proposed way of finding a majority support in Westminster for a way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
It comes as British Prime Minister Theresa May has asked the European Union for an extension on Britain’s departure from the EU.<\/p>\n