Macron warns May to find solutions for Irish border crisis

French president Emmanuel Macron has warned British prime minister Theresa May it is up to her to find solutions for the Irish border crisis, as he insisted the issue remains "at the heart" of the EU discussions, writes Fiachra O'Cionnaith.

Speaking alongside Taoiseach Leo Varadkar after a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Mr Macron said France stands firmly behind Ireland's interests on the issue.

He said: "The 27 remain united. With the knowledge of the more constructive approach from the UK, we hope to find progress. An Ireland solution is at the heart of the EU solution because Brexit affects Ireland primarily.

"It belongs to the UK to propose solutions."

Mr Macron said after "the Brexit" France will become "Ireland's closest EU member", adding "that is not abstract, we want to strengthen bilateral co-operation".

However, while confirming this will include a State visit by Mr Macron to Ireland next year, both he and Mr Varadkar admitted they remain at odds over Ireland's corporation tax rate and French proposals to impose a new tax on digital firms that would affect Irish-based Google, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Mr Macron separately offered his condolences to Ireland "for the Ophelia storm, which causes such a disaster and took three lives in Ireland".