Ulster Unionist peer, Lord Empey, has stated that the Irish Government should be working with London, as well as parties in Northern Ireland, to ensure that a hard border is avoided.
Lord Empey said:
“The statement over the weekend by EU Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, that a hard border will return to Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit, has exposed the weakness in the negotiating position of the Varadkar Government in Dublin.
“By leaving the negotiation exclusively to the EU, Mr Juncker is saying that Dublin will have to erect a hard border in order to protect the health and safety of EU citizens. Is this really what the people in any part of the island of Ireland want? Is Mr Varadkar prepared to do this, and how?
“It would be the most bizarre scenario to see an Irish government erecting a border, at the behest of the EU, while the UK does nothing north of the border! It’s history turned on its head!
“This scenario is still avoidable and Dublin will have to recognise that there are two sides to this argument.
“I appeal to the Taoiseach to sit down with London, as well as parties in Northern Ireland, and work together to ensure that no such border is necessary. Hiding behind the stance that Dublin can't negotiate as it’s a Brussels matter, is a cop out. When push comes to shove, we need an Irish solution to an Irish problem. Only talking will solve this. History teaches us that.”