EU leaders may meet this week to discuss Brexit extension: Irish PM

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on October 23, reportedly claimed that the European Union leaders may need to meet before Friday, October 25, if they can not agree through contacts with chairman Donald Tusk regarding the terms of a potential Brexit extension. Varadkar reportedly told the Parliament that if there is consensus then it can be done with a written procedure. If there is not, then they will have to convene a meeting of the European Council, possibly next Monday, or maybe even Friday to discuss whether or not to grant an extension, for how long and under what conditions.  

He further added that the Irish government has always said they want to avoid the risk of no-deal and that it is the approach they will be taking. Deputies will reportedly call the extension that was granted to the former PM Theresa May, was what they call a 'flexible extension'. The Irish PM further hopes that the British Parliament will now proceed with reasonable speed in concluding this withdrawal agreement. 

PM Varadkar welcomed the Brexit deal last week, announced by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and called it as a ‘unique solution’ for Northern Ireland. Varadkar said that the new Brexit agreement respects a unique history and geography. 

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Democratic Unionist Party not happy

While Varadkar looked satisfied with the new deal, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland, rejected the deal. In a statement, DUP said that they could not support what was being suggested on customs and consent issues. MLA Arlene Foster and MP Nigel Dodds said that there is a lack of clarity on VAT.

“We will continue to work with the Government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom,” read the statement.

READ: Brexit: What Will Happen Now That Boris Johnson's Deal Is Rejected?

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