The Tánaiste says there's no magic plan that solves all the issues of a no-deal Brexit.
It comes as the House of Commons prepares for a further debate on Brexit tomorrow.
Theresa May is continuing to push for a third meaningful vote on her withdrawal agreement - but it remains uncertain when or even if that can happen.
The Government here has been under pressure to explain what will happen on the border if there's no deal.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney today said they don't have all the answers.
Speaking in the Dáil, Minister Coveney explained: "The truth is there is not some magic plan that solves the all-island economy issues in the context of a no-deal Brexit.
"That will require further conversations with the European Commission - and indeed may involve conversations with the British government as well, I'd suggest - if we look like we are approaching a no-deal Brexit."
Brexit debate
After a dramatic day in Westminster yesterday, leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom confirmed MPs will sit on Friday to once again debate Brexit.
If a third 'meaningful vote' on the withdrawal agreement is to take place, the British government will need to convince Speaker John Bercow to allow it to happen.
He's ruled out another vote on the deal - which has already been overwhelmingly rejected twice - unless there's 'substantial changes'.
Yesterday, Theresa May told Conservative backbenchers she'll step down if her Brexit deal makes it through parliament.
The pledge appears to have convinced some hardline pro-Brexit MPs to support the agreement - including former foreign secretary and prominent Brexiteer Boris Johnson.
Other Tory MPs, however, weren't convinced.
Mark Francois, one member of the Eurosceptic European Research Group, told BBC he informed a party whip that he wouldn't vote for the deal "if they put a shotgun in my mouth".
He added: "Not one punctuation mark in the treaty has changed - nothing has changed."
"I wouldn't vote for it if they put a shotgun in my mouth," Conservative Mark Francois says he will still vote against the #Brexit withdrawal agreement
Live updates: https://t.co/hxDIVGZuev pic.twitter.com/EiEITeF5PR— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 28, 2019
Even more ominously for Theresa May, the DUP - whose support appears essential to get the withdrawal agreement through - has continued to stand firm in its opposition to the deal.
The party has repeatedly criticised the backstop, which is aimed at avoiding a hard border in Ireland.
Party leader Arlene Foster said: "We cannot agree to something that threatens the union."
"Back in December 2017 we warned about the dangers of the backstop.
We cannot sign up to something that would damange the Union"
https://t.co/EWPco9NuFP pic.twitter.com/x1dTw25r3o— DUP (@duponline) March 28, 2019
Last night MPs rejected eight options on Brexit alternatives during a key 'indicative vote'.
Two options - one calling for a UK-wide customs union with the EU, and another for a second referendum - received the most support, with the former defeated by less than ten votes.
Following the vote, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggested: "Stopping Brexit is possible now and [the Scottish National Party] voted tonight to give that the best chance."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the EU Commission warned that they need a 'yes' on some option to figure out a way forward.
.@MargSchinas: “@EU_Commission takes note of the indicative votes in @HouseofCommons last night. This is part of an ongoing political process in the #UK, which we fully respect. We counted 8 “noes” last night. Now we need a “yes” on the way forward.” #Brexit
— Daniel Ferrie 🇪🇺 (@DanielFerrie) March 28, 2019
