The Taoiseach has said the “volatile and dynamic situation” in Westminster this week could have a big impact on Brexit.
The UK Prime Minister has called a surprise meeting of Conservative Party MPs this evening amid rumours he will call a general election.
A cross-party alliance of opposition MPs aims to table a bill aimed at blocking no-deal after the UK Parliament returns from its summer recess.
Up to a dozen Tory MPs are reportedly willing to rebel against the Government and support the bill – despite being warned they will be sacked from the party if they do so.
Insiders in London believe that if Mr Johnson loses the vote, he will move to call a general election.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street in Westminster, 02-09-2019. Image: Simon Dawson/PA Wire/PA ImagesWestminster
Speaking in Dublin today, Leo Varadkar said he could meet with Mr Johnson next week – but said Dublin will be watching the “volatile and dynamic situation” across the water with interest.
“Events are happening in the House of Commons this week and we are going to have to see how they pan out,” he said.
“I could easily say something today or make an initiative today and find out in 48 hours that it is totally out of date.
“I think we have to allow things to develop in Westminster in particular over the next week and review the situation again next week.”
Backstop
Mr Johnson has insisted the Brexit border backstop must be abolished from the withdrawal agreement in order to reach a deal - and insisted it could be replaced with as-yet undefined alternative arrangements.
The EU has warned that the backstop must remain in place unless and until another arrangement that offers the same level of protection against the return of a hard border can be found.
Mr Varadkar said he is willing to listen to “any proposal a British Prime Minister has” and said there is still time before the October 31st deadline to reach a breakthrough.
“The backstop is a means to an end," he said. “It is there to ensure that we continue to have frictionless trade North and South. That there is no physical infrastructure, no checks, and no controls no tariffs.
“That has been the case since 1992 and we want that to continue.
“Of course I would listen to any proposals that the British Prime Minister may have to achieve that by alternative means.”
Protesters take part in a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in London, 31-08-2019. Image: unreguser/Xinhua News Agency/PA ImagesAlternative arrangements
He said the alternative suggestions that have been put forward so far, “do something very different.”
“They just manage a border,” he said. “They facilitate tariffs, they facilitate checks, and they facilitate controls – but try to do it in a way that is invisible and unobtrusive.
“That is better than nothing but it is not the outcome we want to achieve.”
Financial aid
He said Ireland will need a “substantial financial package” to protect vulnerable business in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
He said any package will be announced with the Budget on October 8th.
“Some money will come from the EU but the vast majority or certainly the majority of the money will have to come from our own resources,” he said.
“We can’t hold European taxpayers in Bratislava and Rome responsible for a decision made in London – so there will be European aid but a lot of it will have to come from our own resources.”
It comes after UK Government groups tasked with finding alternatives to the Brexit border backstop have found “concerns and issues” with every potential solution considered.
