Tánaiste Simon Coveney has met the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels.
The meeting came as the British government is set to begin their latest effort to secure changes to the Brexit withdrawal agreement from Europe.
Minister Coveney is in Brussels for a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers, where they'll discuss the situations in countries such as Ukraine, Syria, the Horn of Africa and Venezuela.
However, he also met Mr Barnier to discuss "the ongoing situation in Westminster" and the Irish government's no deal Brexit plans.
Tweeting a picture of himself and Mr Barnier earlier today, Minister Coveney said "nobody should doubt EU solidarity".
Working with @MichelBarnier as ONE TEAM on #Brexit - nobody should doubt EU solidarity. 🇪🇺🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/77NTI6CYlS
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) February 18, 2019
The UK's Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay also returns to Brussels for further talks with the EU's chief negotiator today.
While the British government is continuing its efforts to win legally-binding changes to the Irish backstop agreement, EU officials have repeatedly insisted the withdrawal agreement isn't open for re-negotiation.
Brexit negotiations
Speaking ahead of his meeting with Mr Barnier today, the Tánaiste said they were set to discuss "the further reassurances that can be given to Britain".
He explained: "Brexit is a British decision driven by Britain’s red lines. The withdrawal agreement represents compromise on both sides after a detailed negotiation.
"It has been forgotten by some that Westminster has the ability to take a highly damaging 'no deal' Brexit off the table.
"Unfortunately it appears a small caucus of MPs representing a minority in Westminster is willing to cause a 'no deal' Brexit. This must be prevented by those with the power to do so.”
Yesterday, Mr Barnier warned that "time is very short" for a deal to be reached as the Brexit date of March 29th looms:
After an intensive weekend @MunSecConf discussing global affairs, security and #brexit, I am now travelling back to Brussels to continue discussions with UK gov this week. Time is very short... pic.twitter.com/2fubHY4Zst
— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) February 17, 2019
British Prime Minister Theresa May has written to MPs in the Conservative party asking them to "move beyond what divides us" and back her Brexit proposals.
She issued a plea for politicians to sacrifice their "personal preferences" for the national interest.
Last week, she suffered a symbolic defeat in parliament following another rebellion from hardline Brexiteers within her own party.
