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Brexit: Varadkar says new agreement 'possible' by end of October after talks with Johnson - live news | Brexit: Varadkar says new agreement 'possible' by end of October after talks with Johnson - live news |
(32 minutes later) | |
Varadkar on today’s discussions and his objectives | |
More from Varadkar:He said that he always wanted to ensure all-island economy could continue to develop and north/south co-operation continue as envisaged in Good Friday Agreement. “This has always been about achieving those objectives and I think today they can be achieved". | |
Possible ramifications for DUP after today’s talks between Johnson and Varadkar | |
So over the @DUPleader @NigelDoddsDUP to see if they now also cave on a customs border in the Irish sea https://t.co/6y99j6Ze0d | |
Varadkar added if an agreement works for the people of Ireland it means avoiding a hard border between north and south. | |
“That’s always been our primary objective: ensuring the all island economy can continue to develop and that north south co-operation as envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement can resume and those are our objectives. | |
“This has always been about achieving those objectives and I think today they can be achieved,” he said. | |
More from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll who is at the Varadkar briefing: | |
He said he hoped there would be the outline of a deal next week and he believed the “objectives” of the backstop could be achieved after today’s talks. | |
“I can’t predict that with any certainty but I think all sides would like there to be an agreement next week at the council if possible and obviously there is a further deadline after that which is 31 October, so I would say a short pathway rather than a long pathway.” | |
He indicated a cautious optimism and a hope that talks could now take place away from the glare of the media and acrimony of anonymous briefings. | |
Varadkar said the two prime ministers had agreed not to disclose any new proposals that might have been put on the table but that talks would now move to Brussels where Brexit secretary Steve Barclay is meeting Michel Barnier tomorrow. | |
Speaking prior to a flight back home, a coy Taoiseach said it would be wrong to comment on whether one side or the other had made any concessions during the meeting. | |
He said: “In terms of concessions, I don’t think this should be seen in the context of who’s making concessions or who the winners or losers are, I don’t think that’s the game any of us want to play. | |
“What this is about is securing an agreement that works for the people of Ireland and for the people of Britain and Europe.” | |
Moving away from the Brexit drama for one moment, Labour MP Chris Williamson has lost his High Court bid to be reinstated to the party after he was suspended over allegations of anti-Semitism. | |
The Derby North MP was suspended in February after he claimed Labour had been “too apologetic” in response to criticism of its handling of anti-Semitism allegations. | |
He was readmitted to the party and issued with a formal warning following a hearing of a National Executive Committee (NEC) anti-Semitism panel in June. | |
But he was suspended again in July after a second panel reviewed the decision to reinstate him and found it “cannot safely stand”. | |
Labour also imposed a separate suspension last month over additional allegations of misconduct. | |
A Labour Party spokeswoman said: “The court has upheld Chris Williamson’s suspension from the party and has said his disciplinary case must run its course.” | |
From my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, Varadkar on his thoughts about his discussions with the prime minister. | From my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, Varadkar on his thoughts about his discussions with the prime minister. |
“I had a very good meeting today with the prime minister and our teams together. It was very positive and very promising. I am now absolutely convinced that both Ireland and Britain want there to be an agreement that’s in the interests of Ireland and UK and the EU as a whole,” he said. | “I had a very good meeting today with the prime minister and our teams together. It was very positive and very promising. I am now absolutely convinced that both Ireland and Britain want there to be an agreement that’s in the interests of Ireland and UK and the EU as a whole,” he said. |
The meeting lasted significantly longer than expected, with the two prime ministers agreeing that there had been enough movement to form a basis for substantive negotiations. | The meeting lasted significantly longer than expected, with the two prime ministers agreeing that there had been enough movement to form a basis for substantive negotiations. |
Varadkar said he believed the outline of a deal would be possible in time for the crunch summit of EU leaders next Thursday although “there was many a slip between cup and lip” and challenges remained ahead. | Varadkar said he believed the outline of a deal would be possible in time for the crunch summit of EU leaders next Thursday although “there was many a slip between cup and lip” and challenges remained ahead. |
“What I would hope that what happened today will be sufficient to allow negotiations to resume in Brussels,” he added. | “What I would hope that what happened today will be sufficient to allow negotiations to resume in Brussels,” he added. |
“I do see a pathway towards an agreement in the coming weeks. | “I do see a pathway towards an agreement in the coming weeks. |
“There are of course issues yet to be fully resolved, the first is the issue of consent and democracy ensuring that any long term arrangement that applies to Northern Ireland has the consent of the people of Northern Ireland, the second is the whole issue of customs ensuring that there is no customs border between north and the south. | “There are of course issues yet to be fully resolved, the first is the issue of consent and democracy ensuring that any long term arrangement that applies to Northern Ireland has the consent of the people of Northern Ireland, the second is the whole issue of customs ensuring that there is no customs border between north and the south. |
“Also we had a good discussion looking forward to how relationships might look after Brexit, how we can strengthen co-operation north and south economically and politically and also between Britain and Ireland.” | “Also we had a good discussion looking forward to how relationships might look after Brexit, how we can strengthen co-operation north and south economically and politically and also between Britain and Ireland.” |
Lisa adds a note of caution from Varadkar. | Lisa adds a note of caution from Varadkar. |
But Varadkar warned: "There is a many a slip between cup and lip" | But Varadkar warned: "There is a many a slip between cup and lip" |
This is from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll. | This is from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll. |
BREAKING: Leo Varadkar says "it is possible for us to come" to a "treaty" agreement "by the end of October. | BREAKING: Leo Varadkar says "it is possible for us to come" to a "treaty" agreement "by the end of October. |
That is all from me for today. From Brexit to parents’ evening ... | That is all from me for today. From Brexit to parents’ evening ... |
My colleague Nadeem Badshah is now taking over. | My colleague Nadeem Badshah is now taking over. |
These are from Mujtaba Rahman, the former European commission official who produces well-regarded Brexit analysis for the Eurasia consultancy. | These are from Mujtaba Rahman, the former European commission official who produces well-regarded Brexit analysis for the Eurasia consultancy. |
So UK officials I've spoken to a bit more downbeat than readout from Irish times. 1/ Caution weariness on briefs of a 3h private meet between @BorisJohnson and @LeoVaradkar. 2/ Absolutely clear that UK position - that its customs territory remains intact - remains. Don't see a | So UK officials I've spoken to a bit more downbeat than readout from Irish times. 1/ Caution weariness on briefs of a 3h private meet between @BorisJohnson and @LeoVaradkar. 2/ Absolutely clear that UK position - that its customs territory remains intact - remains. Don't see a |
Commons majority otherwise. 3/ Objective is to tee up a real negotiation between @MichelBarnier & @SteveBarclay tomorrow. UK side continues to believe that @EU_Commission holds the key. "If they want to make it work they will." So both sides still holding to core principles ENDS | Commons majority otherwise. 3/ Objective is to tee up a real negotiation between @MichelBarnier & @SteveBarclay tomorrow. UK side continues to believe that @EU_Commission holds the key. "If they want to make it work they will." So both sides still holding to core principles ENDS |