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An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar spoke to the British Prime Minister, Theresa May this morning by phone. She sought the call in order to update the Taoiseach on the current state of the Brexit negotiations.

Both leaders emphasised their commitment to avoiding a hard border and the need for a legally operable backstop.

The Prime Minister raised the possibility of a review mechanism for the backstop. The Taoiseach indicated an openness to consider proposals for a review, provided that it was clear that the outcome of any such review could not involve a unilateral decision to end the backstop. He recalled the prior commitments made that the backstop must apply ‘unless and until’ alternative arrangements are agreed.

They both expressed the hope that the negotiations could conclude in a satisfactory manner as soon as possible.