‘Serious questions’ if no progress on Brexit backstop

The Government will be asking “serious questions” if significant progress is not made on the Brexit backstop issue by June, the Tánaiste has said.

Simon Coveney has put it up to British prime minister Theresa May to come forward with solid proposals around the Irish border and strongly suggested a withdrawal agreement will not be signed if this is not achieved.

Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Coveney said: “It’s up to the British government to come forward with their proposals that have the same outcome in terms of what was committed to in paragraph 49 in terms of maintaining full alignment with the rules of the customs union to avoid any hard border.