Leaving Brexit negotiations in EU hands is a very bad idea

Can we really rely on Michel Barnier to put Irish concerns above those of the EU’s institutions?

Frictionless border between Ireland and the North, in Donegal Picture: Getty

The publication this week by the British government of its paper on the Irish Border represents a very welcome initiative and yet again emphasises how much Dublin and London have in common on this matter. The paper was much more positive on Ireland than many had predicted.

The unequivocal priority given by the British government to avoiding any physical infrastructure along our 300 mile boundary fully matches Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s strong stance on ...