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15/10/2018
NI Border Debate Stalls Brexit Negotiations
Government sources have warned that Brexit negotiations have hit a "real problem" over the Irish border issue.
It is believed the European Union (EU) is seeking further reassurances to prevent a so-called 'hard border' involving physical checks being established between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Brexit secretary Dominic Raab sparked hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations when he made an unscheduled trip to Brussels on Sunday, 14 October, howeverthe talks faltered over the need for a backstop, which is a back up plan to avoid a hard border.
Prime Minster Theresa May has previously insisted that any backstop arrangement should apply to the UK as a whole to avoid creating a new border in the Irish Sea.
Sunday's talks are believed to have broken down after the EU insisted on a second backstop arrangement, just involving Northern Ireland, if the UK's version is not agreed in time.
The DUP has vowed to oppose any new regulations on goods passing between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said over the weekend: "It would be a chronic miscalculation and an utter disgrace if the policy of the British government was to be set by the most extreme elements of the Brexiteers and the needs and desires and the idiosyncrasies of the Democratic Unionist Party."
(JG)
It is believed the European Union (EU) is seeking further reassurances to prevent a so-called 'hard border' involving physical checks being established between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Brexit secretary Dominic Raab sparked hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations when he made an unscheduled trip to Brussels on Sunday, 14 October, howeverthe talks faltered over the need for a backstop, which is a back up plan to avoid a hard border.
Prime Minster Theresa May has previously insisted that any backstop arrangement should apply to the UK as a whole to avoid creating a new border in the Irish Sea.
Sunday's talks are believed to have broken down after the EU insisted on a second backstop arrangement, just involving Northern Ireland, if the UK's version is not agreed in time.
The DUP has vowed to oppose any new regulations on goods passing between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said over the weekend: "It would be a chronic miscalculation and an utter disgrace if the policy of the British government was to be set by the most extreme elements of the Brexiteers and the needs and desires and the idiosyncrasies of the Democratic Unionist Party."
(JG)
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MLAs Pen Letter Supporting Brexit Backstop
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MLAs Pen Letter Supporting Brexit Backstop
A cohort of assembly members have penned a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk expressing their support for the Brexit backstop. 49 pro-remain MLAs, including leaders of the SDLP, Sinn Fein, Alliance and Green parties, signed the letter supporting the controversial backstop, as contained in the withdrawal agreement.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with clear skies this evening. Patchy cloud will increase at times overnight, but some clear spells too. Light winds and some patchy shallow mist or fog towards dawn. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
