Barnier: No return to hard border 'top priority'
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has told the Irish parliament that he is determined to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit.
Last updated 11th May 2017
Speaking in Dublin, Mr Barnier pledged to ensure no return to borders of the past but warned customs controls are part of the EU's border management.
He acknowledged the unique position between Northern Ireland and Republic and strong economic ties to the UK.
The measures protected the single market, food safety and standards, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator added.
He declared: "We have a duty to speak the truth. The UK's departure from the EU will have consequences.
"They protect the single market. They protect our food safety and our standards.''
Businesses and politicians in the Republic and Northern Ireland want to avoid the restrictions on movement of the past.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said the UK would adopt technology to cover the transport of goods between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The British Government wants a 'frictionless' arrangement, to avoid a return to the borders of the past when the area was heavily militarised because of the IRA threat.
Mr Barnier said Ireland's interest would be shared by the entire EU.
"European integration helped to remove borders that once existed on maps and in minds. Brexit changes the external borders of the EU.
"I will work with you to avoid a hard border.''
The UK's only land frontier with the EU is in Northern Ireland. It is invisible, with goods and people passing freely, its security apparatus from the 30-year conflict gone.
Mr Barnier has pledged to make it one of his three priorities for the first phase of the negotiations and is due to visit it on Friday.
He told Irish parliamentarians in Dublin: Because of its historical and geographical ties with the UK, because of your shared border and strong economic links, Ireland is in a unique position.''
With the depreciation of sterling, Brexit was already having an impact on the value of Irish exports to the UK, in particular the agri-food sector, the senior negotiator added.
He said: "And many in Ireland fear the return of tensions in the North.
"Today, in front of these two houses, I want to reassure the Irish people: in this negotiation Ireland's interest will be the Union's interest.
"We are in this negotiation together and a united EU will be here for you.''
On Friday he will travel to the border with Northern Ireland and meet farmers and workers in a dairy co-operative.
He added: "In Northern Ireland, lifting the borders took time. Only 15 years ago did check-points and controls totally disappear.
Thanks to the Good Friday Agreement that ended decades of violence.''
He said he understood the EU's role in strengthening dialogue in Northern Ireland and supporting the 1998 Agreement which largely ended the violence.