Irish broadcaster RTE has reported one of these non-papers included a plan to replace the backstop with "customs clearance sites" on both sides of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
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UK officials have recently submitted four so-called "non-papers" during recent discussions in Brussels.Ī non-paper is an informal document, usually used to test the reaction of other parties to possible solutions, without necessarily committing the proposer. in terms of any agreement," he said, adding that he was hopeful "that the penny is finally dropping with the UK" on Brexit. "If we can build on that we certainly might get closer to one another in terms of a possible outcome."īut this might not fly with the EU, something that Mr Hogan hinted at in his interview. "This is the first time that this has been spoken about by a British prime minister where they are prepared to accept some level of divergence between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Mr Hogan told the Irish Times: "That is certainly a clear indication of divergence between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the EU and the rest of the UK. 'No alternatives' proposed in PM's backstop letter This would build on checks already in place for livestock, but crucially would not cover tariffs on goods. In layman's terms, this would mean agricultural goods and livestock having the same regulations across the island of Ireland.
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Given the staunch opposition to the backstop, alternatives have been put forward and mooted.Īccording to Ireland's EU commissioner Phil Hogan, the PM has suggested what he called an "all-Ireland food zone". They would only be satisfied by the complete removal of the backstop.Īnd it should be noted that numerous government figures have rejected the idea of pivoting back to a Northern Ireland-only backstop.īusiness Secretary Andrea Leadsom told Sky News: "There isn't a plan to have some sort of NI-only anything."Īfter recent talks with the PM, DUP leader Arlene Foster revealed Mr Johnson had "confirmed his rejection of the Northern Ireland-only backstop and his commitment to securing a deal which works for the entire United Kingdom as well as our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland".Īt the Conservative Party conference in Manchester this week, Mrs Foster said the DUP would "look at" a time-limited backstop proposal, but played down suggestions it is something her party could accept. Opponents have also expressed fears Britain could end up being trapped in the arrangement - and by extension the EU - indefinitely in some kind of "Hotel California" scenario - you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. EU dismisses call to scrap Brexit backstop