The Taoiseach has again warned that Northern Ireland will have to be treated differently to the rest of the UK if a hard border is to be avoided under a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.

Leo Varadkar was speaking after a number of pro-Brexit MPs in London claimed he had admitted that special arrangements could “solve all our problems” if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal.

Politicians, including the DUPs Nigel Dodds and Sammy Wilson, had claimed that Mr Varadkar had effectively admitted that the border issue could be solved without the backstop.

Border

Referring to a document on checks and tariffs under no deal, published by Westminster last week, Mr Varadkar said the UK Government had already made it clear that it would treat the North differently to Britain in order to keep the border open.

“I notice it has become part of the part of the commentary in London at the moment that I, as Taoiseach, have somehow said that special arrangements would solve all our problems and that all of these concerns about a hard border and the need for a backstop do not matter because the Taoiseach has talked about there being special arrangements,” he said.

“Let there be no doubt, in this house or in Westminster, when I talk about arrangements I mean treating Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the United Kingdom.

“It is the UK Government’s proposal to do exactly that – not in four or five year’s time if the backstop ever has to be implemented, but in a few weeks time in the event of no deal.”

DUP Brexit spokesperson Sammy Wilson, 14-12-2018. Image: Claire Doherty/SIPA USA/PA Images

'No-deal'

The comments are very similar to those Mr Varadkar made on RTÉ radio on Sunday in which he confirmed that talks on avoiding a border under ‘no-deal’ had already begun in a “preliminary and very rough way.”

He made it clear at the time that “in the event of no deal the first thing [the UK Government] will do is treat Northern Ireland differently in terms of customs.”

However, in the days after the interview, DUP Brexit spokesperson Sammy Wilson said the Taoiseach had acknowledged that a hard border could be avoided without the backstop.

He went on to claim that the comments served to “highlight that the backstop was never necessary.”

Indicative votes

This evening, the House of Commons will vote on a series of alternative proposals on Brexit aimed at finding a way to move forward that can command majority support.

UK Prime Minister still plans to bring the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement back for a third meaningful vote – and will deliver a speech to Tory MPs this evening.

Leading Tory Brexiteers Jacob Rees-Mogg, Boris Johnson and William Hague yesterday indicated that their opposition to the deal may be softening.

She is expected to face pressure to name a date for her departure as leader when she addresses the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers.

Brexit

After the speech, the House of Commons will begin voting on eight potential Brexit scenarios to see which is the most popular.

The Government is not bound the outcome of the votes. The results are expected at around 9pm.

These are:

• Leave the EU without a deal on April 12th.
• Norway + model - remain in the Single Market with a customs arrangement and membership of the European Free Trade Association.
• Norway model without a customs union.
• Leave the EU with a UK-wide customs union.
• Permanent customs union, including alignment with single market on future EU rights and regulations.
• Revoke Article 50 if no-deal Brexit is not explicitly approved by MPs a day before the UK is due to leave.
• A "confirmatory" second referendum in which UK citizens will be asked to choose between any withdrawal agreement and remaining in the EU.
• If no withdrawal agreement agreed, seek a "standstill" agreement with the EU while negotiating trade deal.