EU set to clear Brexit talks phase 2 today

Concrete guarantees that there will be no backsliding on a special Brexit deal for a frictionless border in the North and aligned trade rules there with the EU are expected to be approved today in Brussels.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will emphasise that Ireland wants to see Brexit negotiations move to phase two on a transition period and on trade, and that Ireland is satisfied with the text on the deal so far.

Fresh guidelines for the phase two talks will prevent any walking back from the hard-fought deal struck between British prime minister Theresa May and EU leaders last week.