Northern Ireland after Brexit: Martin’s plan is worth considering

WHILE the Taoiseach has a habit of grandstanding on Brexit negotiations, irritating unnecessarily Theresa May and her government, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has advanced a more conciliatory approach towards British concerns to ensure the softest possible UK exit from the EU and the avoidance of a hard border.

Leo Varadkar has repeatedly stated – loudly and tactlessly – that the Irish Government will not countenance a hard border, insisting that the ‘backstop’ arrangement agreed between the EU and UK last December guarantees that.