As EU leaders agree to move on to Phase 2 of Brexit talks…
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee hold a press conference (above)…
How is that going?
Leo Varadkar asked what 'no hard border' means to him – says an absence of infrastructure and no associated checks and control.
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) December 15, 2017
Leo Varadkar – the final treaty will have to be ratified by all EU parliaments – that's going to be a challenge. My job as Taoiseach is to retain the status quo as exists (between Ireland and Britain).
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) December 15, 2017
Leo Varadkar – if Britain asked to remain a member of Single Market I would very much welcome that.
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) December 15, 2017
Leo Varadkar – my objective for people in Ireland and NI is for them to continue going about their lives in the same way as they have for last 20 years.
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) December 15, 2017
Leo Varadkar – there are other alternatives to the backstop committments on Ireland. They will have to be explored.
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) December 15, 2017
Leo Varadkar – in politics just about anything can happen. Can't be complacent.
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) December 15, 2017
Leo Varadkar – I'm not pushing for a longer transition period (2 years).
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) December 15, 2017
Leo Varadkar – happy with the backstop on Ireland, Theresa May calls it 'last resort'. I don't care what you call it – I know what it is.
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) December 15, 2017
EU leaders agree to move to second-stage Brexit talks – Politics Live (The Guardian)