Simon Coveney and Michel Barnier open to negotiate on March backstop

Tánaiste Simon Coveney and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier have indicated they are willing to negotiate on the March backstop deal in a bid to prevent a deeply damaging no-deal, crash-out Brexit.

The Tánaiste and the EU official hinted at the potential move after British prime minister Theresa May insisted the current backstop is not workable and as Mr Coveney admitted for the first time Ireland is preparing for a worst-case scenario.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s News at One programme after meeting Mr Barnier in Brussels, Mr Coveney said the EU is still insistent the December “cast-iron” Irish border guarantee and other customs union issues must remain.