The Tánaiste says Ireland is stepping up its preparations for a hard Brexit.
It comes as the UK Prime Minister heads for Europe an attempt to “seek reassurances” on the Irish border backstop.
Theresa May yesterday cancelled today’s planned House of Commons vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement – admitting it was likely to be rejected by a significant margin.
She will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte this morning to “discuss with them the clear concerns” of her Parliamentary colleagues with the agreement.
This morning, the European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker warned that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be renegotiated.
"The deal we have achieved is the best deal possible - it is the only deal possible," he said.
"There is no room whatsoever for renegotiation."
I have decided to call #EUCO on #Brexit (Art. 50) on Thursday. We will not renegotiate the deal, including the backstop, but we are ready to discuss how to facilitate UK ratification. As time is running out, we will also discuss our preparedness for a no-deal scenario.
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) December 10, 2018
That sentiment was echoed by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the European Council President Donald Tusk.
Speaking this morning, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said Ireland remains hopeful that a deal can be reached but said that in the meantime, the country must prepare for a no deal Brexit on March 29th.
“We are now stepping up, not only preparations but actions to actually respond to that potential reality,” he said.
He said the EU may be able to offer Mrs May a statement of clarification on the Irish border "that may offer the reassurance needed in Westminster."
He said any declaration must be consistent with the legal text in the Withdrawal Agreement which protects the peace process and the integrity of the EU Single Market and Customs Union.
Mrs May has arrived in The Hague for a meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister this morning before travelling on for further talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel later today.
