Varadkar set to argue for long extension of Brexit negotiating period

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to make the case for a long extension of the Brexit negotiating period when he meets French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday and German chancellor Angela Merkel in Dublin on Thursday.

Mr Varadkar will meet Mr Macron in the Elysee Palace, and is expected to argue for a long extension of the Article 50 negotiating period if one is needed.

However, Government sources rejected claims that the Taoiseach is under pressure from Europe's two most powerful leaders to outline how Ireland will deal with the Border if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.

It was acknowledged the meetings in the coming days will, among other issues, see Mr Varadkar discuss how to protect the EU single market and keep the Border open in a no-deal Brexit scenario.

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EU sources said this could include checks, in customs for example, away from the Border – such as in places of origin or destination, or at locations such as Dublin Port. Tánaiste Simon Coveney also repeated that the Government would seek to hold the UK to its commitment of December 2017 to maintain regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and the Republic to keep the Border open.

Mr Varadkar last week said the EU should be open to a long extension "should the United Kingdom decide to fundamentally reconsider its approach to Brexit and put back on the table options previously ruled out".

Brexit day

EU leaders have set Friday week as Brexit day if the UK does not ratify the Withdrawal Agreement. However, they also left the door open to a longer extension of Article 50, delaying the UK’s exit, if the UK proposes another way forward.

In advance of his meeting with Mr Macron, Mr Varadkar said in a statement that he was "keen to discuss the possible scenarios arising from this week, particularly how the European Council should respond to a request for another extension, should there be one, and ongoing efforts to secure ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement".

“As I have indicated, it is now up to the UK to show how it plans to proceed and avoid a no-deal scenario. We are preparing for all outcomes, and have prepared intensively for a no-deal. But no one should under-estimate the difficulties that a no-deal will present, for all of us.”

Sources said Mr Macron had concerns about the potential damaging effect that the UK taking part in European Parliament elections, a prerequisite for an extension past May 22nd, could have on the EU.