Irish PM warns that fresh Brexit assurances cannot undermine backstop

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar warned on Thursday that any alterations to the UK’s Brexit deal cannot undermine the Irish backstop, which acts as an insurance policy to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking assurances from the EU over the backstop policy ahead of the delayed Commons vote on her plans for a managed exit and relatively close economic ties later this month.

The Irish Taoiseach stated that his nation wanted to be in a position to give guarantees, assurances and clarifications but needed to know what the UK’s parliament actually wants from renewed negotiations.

“But they need to also understand that there will be no explanation, guarantee or clarification that contradicts or renders inoperable any part of the withdrawal agreement,” said Varadkar.

The Irish leader also stated that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had agreed that Britain, and not the EU, would need to come up with a proposal to kickstart the currently stalled Brexit process.

Officials in Dublin are said to be preparing more for a Brexit under May’s terms than a ‘no deal’ situation but Varadkar commented that he has “given up” on speculating whether Britain would end up leaving the union without a deal in place.