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09/10/2018
DUP Issue Brussels Brexit Warning
Speaking after a meeting with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, DUP Leader Arlene Foster has warned she will not support any Brexit deal that could lead to extra economic barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Ms Foster was reiterating her party's stance after meeting with Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels earlier today, Tuesday 09 October.
The government is expected to outline it's plan for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit in the coming days, a plan that the DUP will analyse carefully.
The backstop arrangement is an insurance policy to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland, which will be activated if customs agreements are not reached by the EU and the UK in time for the end of the Brexit transitional period.
"What we need to see is the legal text," said Ms Foster.
"We cannot talk in a vacuum. We need to see what has been proposed and we will check that against what we have called our red line."
Ms Foster also clarified her recent controversial remarks about the DUP having blood red lines.
"What I meant is deep red, they aren't pink," she said.
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann, who also took part in today's talks, was optimistic at the possibility of a deal in a matter of days.
Following the meeting with Mr Barnier, Mr Swann said negotiators "seem to be indicating that we are going towards a deal".
"We are seven to ten days from this deal having to be on the table," he added.
(JG)
Ms Foster was reiterating her party's stance after meeting with Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels earlier today, Tuesday 09 October.
The government is expected to outline it's plan for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit in the coming days, a plan that the DUP will analyse carefully.
The backstop arrangement is an insurance policy to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland, which will be activated if customs agreements are not reached by the EU and the UK in time for the end of the Brexit transitional period.
"What we need to see is the legal text," said Ms Foster.
"We cannot talk in a vacuum. We need to see what has been proposed and we will check that against what we have called our red line."
Ms Foster also clarified her recent controversial remarks about the DUP having blood red lines.
"What I meant is deep red, they aren't pink," she said.
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann, who also took part in today's talks, was optimistic at the possibility of a deal in a matter of days.
Following the meeting with Mr Barnier, Mr Swann said negotiators "seem to be indicating that we are going towards a deal".
"We are seven to ten days from this deal having to be on the table," he added.
(JG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
