UK and EU leaders ‘close’ to Brexit breakthrough on Northern Irish border, Arlene Foster says
3 min read
DUP leader Arlene Foster has said a Brexit breakthrough on the Northern Irish border could be ‘close’, following a meeting with Dominic Raab in Belfast today.
Ms Foster told reporters that she hoped a deal between UK and EU leaders that would “work for Northern Ireland” was imminent.
The Northern Irish politician was part of a delegation that held talks with the Brexit Secretary in Stormont this afternoon, including DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, MEP Diane Dodds and South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford.
Speaking afterwards, she said: "Goodness, we have been here on a number of occasions and I think we are close to a deal that will work for Northern Ireland, that is what we want."
She added: “We are engaged in an ongoing process. We want to be as helpful as we can in these negotiations.
“We want to get a deal on exiting the European Union that is good for Northern Ireland and it can only be good for Northern Ireland if we remain a full part of the United Kingdom.”
The DUP – which props up Theresa May’s minority Government in the House of Commons – has maintained vehement opposition to any Brexit proposals that would see Northern Ireland take on different trade and customs rules to the rest of the UK.
However, EU and UK negotiators have also agreed that there should be no hard border between the north and the Republic of Ireland, bringing talks to a standstill.
Restating her party’s commitment to remaining aligned with the rest of the UK, Ms Foster said she had told Mr Raab that “from the constitutional point of view but also from an economic point of view that it is very important that as well as not having any customs barriers, we cannot have any regulatory barriers”.
RAAB REBUKED
The Brexit Secretary also met Sinn Féin leaders during his Belfast visit, including President Mary Lou McDonald who afterwards described the trip as a “box-ticking exercise”, accusing him of making a “fly-by-night” appearance to the region.
Speaking to reporters, she also accused the British Government of acting in “bad faith” over the Northern Irish border issue and warned that it must not become a “footnote” in wider Brexit negotiations.
She said: “We have made very clear to him that the needs of Ireland will not be set aside.
“They are not a footnote. They are not a matter of detail. They are essential to agree any withdrawal agreement and indeed any future relationship.”
Ms McDonald also urged Mr Raab to cement plans with the EU for an “operable and enduring” backstop proposal that will keep the Northern Irish border open after Brexit.
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