Hard border avoided in Brexit deal

A major Brexit deal has been confirmed this morning to ensure that no hard border will be placed between Northern Ireland and the Republic. 

Talks took place through the night in Brussels between UK politicians and EU officials to ensure there would be no barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

A key outcome of this Brexit deal is that there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Protection of the Common Travel Area and the Good Friday Agreement will also be maintained.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee welcomed the progress made today.

Taoiseach Varadkar said Ireland has achieved all they set out to achieve in Phase 1 of negotiations. “This is not the end but it is the end of the beginning,” he said.

“There will continue to be a distinct strand on Ireland in phase 2 of these negotiations. We want to build bridges, not borders,” an Taoiseach said.

The Democratic Unionist Party have outlined key commitments made in the Brexit paper last night:

1. Northern Ireland will leave the European Union along with the rest of the United Kingdom.
2. Northern Ireland will leave the single market and the customs union along with the rest of the United Kingdom.
3. There will be no customs or trade border down the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
4. Northern Ireland will not be separated constitutionally, politically, economically or regulatory from the rest of the United Kingdom and the joint UK-EU report at the conclusion of phase one makes clear that in all circumstances the United Kingdom will continue to ensure the same unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the whole of the UK internal market.
5. There will be no so-called ‘special status’ for Northern Ireland as demanded by Sinn Fein.
6. The report makes it clear that the UK remains committed to preserving the integrity of its internal market and Northern Ireland’s place within it, as it leaves the EU’s internal market and customs union.

First Minister of Northern Ireland Arlene Foster MLA said there is still more to be done to improve the paper.

“Specifically, more work is needed around the areas of cooperation where it would be necessary to have alignment of rules and standards, how any alignment could be effected without staying in the single market and customs union and what necessary alignment may be required to happen.”

Mrs Foster said: “We will play a full part with the Government in the second stage of the negotiations on a comprehensive trade deal.  Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and how we vote on the final deal will depend on its contents.

“Along with like-mind colleagues across the House of Commons, we will ensure that there is no backsliding on the promises made about the integrity of the Union.  We will also work to ensure that the United Kingdom as a whole exits the European Union in a way that is of the greatest benefit to our prosperity and freedom.”

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