Varadkar is playing a dangerous game: Dodds

The DUP has accused Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of 'playing a dangerous game' after he warned Brexit talks on the Irish border could be delayed until the new year.
Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar
Leo Varadkar

Mr Varadkar told the Dail yesterday that unless an agreement is reached to break the logjam by next week, the negotiations could stretch into 2018.

But DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds warned that the Republic of Ireland would suffer far worse economically from a no-deal Brexit than the UK.

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He added that Mr Varadkar’s remarks would send more worries through the Republic’s business and commercial sectors than it would in Northern Ireland or the rest of the UK .

The North Belfast MP’s comments come after his party leader Arlene Foster dramatically torpedoed a deal between London and Brussels over the Irish border on Monday.

The DUP has repeatedly stated it will not accept proposed “regulatory alignment” between NI and the Republic, as it would effectively draw a new border in the Irish Sea.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who spoke to Mrs Foster by telephone yesterday, has pledged to protect the “constitutional integrity” of the UK in the negotiations.

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Following the taoiseach’s claims that talks may not be completed this side of Christmas, Mr Dodds said it was Dublin who stood to lose the most from a no-deal Brexit.

He added: “The longer there is delay in getting onto the second phase of the negotiations about a trade deal, the greater the prospect of a ‘no trade deal’ outcome.

“The Republic of Ireland has £13.4 billion worth of sales to the United Kingdom. It is estimated that tens of thousands of jobs are at stake.

“Mr Varadkar may try to appear calm on the surface but he is playing a dangerous game - not with us but with his own economy.”

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Party colleague Ian Paisley MP has suggested a no-deal Brexit could cost the Republic 3.8% of its GDP overnight.

Mr Varadkar has acknowledged it is in the Republic’s own interest to see the EU-UK negotiations proceed to their second phase and address post-Brexit trade once the European Council meets on December 14/15.

Mr Varadkar said leaders needed to listen to other voices in Northern Ireland as well as Mrs May’s pro-Brexit partners the DUP, as they attempted to iron out differences over the border and other issues.

The taoiseach told parliamentarians in the Dail: “We want to move to phase two but if it is not possible to move to phase two next week because of the problems that have arisen, well then we can pick it up of course in the New Year.”

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He stood by the text “agreed” between negotiators on Monday which was scuppered by a late intervention from the DUP, which said it could not accept the UK Government’s proposal that there should be continued “regulatory alignment” between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Mr Varadkar said he intended to speak to the Prime Minister in the coming days.

He added: “I think we should listen to all parties in Northern Ireland and not accept this idea that seems to be gaining prevalence in some parts of London and maybe other places as well that there is only one party in Northern Ireland and that party speaks for everyone.

“I don’t accept that premise, which seems to be accepted by too many people at the moment.”

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The Taoiseach said it was the UK’s role to come back to the EU side with proposals.

“I understand that the Prime Minister has difficult issues that she is managing, there are different views within her own party on Brexit and she also has to manage a confidence and supply agreement that she has with the DUP.

“I absolutely accept that Theresa May wants to come to an agreement, that she is acting in good faith and I want to give her time ... before we move things forward.”

He said it was the “desire, ambition and wish” of his Government to move on to post-Brexit trade talks.

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“It is in our interest to move to phase two, that is where we talk about the transition period that we need, so individuals and businesses can prepare for any long-term change.

“It is where we can talk about the new trading arrangements which are so important for Irish importers and exporters, the agri-food industry and anyone whose job in Ireland depends on trade with Britain.”

Last night, it emerged Mrs May spoke with Mr Varadkar by phone yesterday afternoon.

The taoiseach’s office characterised the phone call as a “stock-taking” exercise and said he made clear he was not backing down on his position that Dublin’s approval for the opening of the second phase of talks is dependent on agreement on the border.

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Downing Street said Mrs May told him she was “working hard to find a specific solution to the unique circumstances in Northern Ireland” and was committed to “moving together to achieve a positive result on this”.