This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-41320740

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
UK 'must find Irish border solution' - Guy Verhofstadt UK 'must find Irish border solution' - Guy Verhofstadt
(35 minutes later)
The European Parliament's Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, has said it is up to the UK to find a way to avoid new controls on the Irish border.The European Parliament's Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, has said it is up to the UK to find a way to avoid new controls on the Irish border.
This echoes the position already laid out by the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier.This echoes the position already laid out by the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier.
Mr Verhofstadt is in Northern Ireland to meet political leaders at Stormont ahead of a visit to the Irish border.Mr Verhofstadt is in Northern Ireland to meet political leaders at Stormont ahead of a visit to the Irish border.
He will also meet business and community leaders in the Armagh-Monaghan border area.He will also meet business and community leaders in the Armagh-Monaghan border area.
Mr Verhofstad is the link between EU negotiators and MEPs. Mr Verhofstadt is the link between EU negotiators and MEPs.
He is not directly involved in the Brexit negotiations but any deal between the EU and UK will need to be approved by the European Parliament. Although he is not directly involved in the Brexit negotiations, any deal between the EU and UK will need to be approved by the European Parliament.
The former Belgian prime minister is on a two-day visit to Ireland and is expected to address a joint committee of the Irish Parliament on Thursday.The former Belgian prime minister is on a two-day visit to Ireland and is expected to address a joint committee of the Irish Parliament on Thursday.
Mr Verhofstadt said: "The resurrection of the border problem is the consequence of the decision of Britain to leave the union. "The resurrection of the border problem is the consequence of the decision of Britain to leave the union," said Mr Verhofstadt.
"So it is their responsibility to come forward with solutions.""So it is their responsibility to come forward with solutions."
He said he had heard it suggested that Northern Ireland could remain part of the single market and the customs union and the problem would be solved: "But the point is the UK government that has to come forward with a proposal that solves the problem." He said he had heard it suggested that Northern Ireland could remain part of the single market and the customs union and the problem would be solved.
"But the point is the UK government has to come forward with a proposal that solves the problem," he added.
Mr Verhofstadt also discussed his proposal that people from Northern Ireland could elect MEPs in the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.Mr Verhofstadt also discussed his proposal that people from Northern Ireland could elect MEPs in the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.
People born in Northern Ireland are entitled to Irish, and hence EU, citizenship. People born in Northern Ireland are entitled to Irish - and hence EU - citizenship.
Mr Verhofstadt said there is a "fair question" about how those people will continue to participate in EU democracy. Mr Verhofstadt said there was a "fair question" about how those people would continue to participate in EU democracy.
The DUP have rejected his idea and and it was also met with scepticism when he raised it in a European parliamentary committee earlier this year. The DUP has rejected his idea, which was also met with scepticism when he raised it in a European parliamentary committee earlier this year.
He said "With every proposal there is scepticism, that's normal in politics, but we are debating it." He said: "With every proposal there is scepticism, that's normal in politics, but we are debating it."
Mr Verhofstadt also said he did not want to speculate on reports that Theresa May could offer to pay €20bn (£18bn) into the EU budget during a two-year transitional period when she makes a speech on Friday Speaking after her party's meeting with Mr Verhofstadt, Sinn Féin's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill said he would see for himself the "major, catastrophic impact Brexit will have here".
He said said he hoped there would be breakthrough on the financial settlement and that it would be positive if the UK government starts to discuss a figure. Mrs O'Neill said they had a constructive meeting, adding: "I do find him an understanding man."
The parliament's resolution on the Brexit states that it is "especially concerned" by the impact on Northern Ireland and that is "crucial" to preserve the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. Transitional period
Mr Verhofstadt has previously said: "We will never accept a hard border again between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic." Mr Verhofstadt said earlier he did not want to speculate on reports that Theresa May was to use a keynote Brexit speech to offer to pay €20bn (£18bn) into the EU budget during a two-year transitional period.
Last month, he dismissed the UK's proposals for its future customs relationship with the European Union as "a fantasy." The Prime Minister is travelling to Italy to make a speech on Brexit, ahead of round of negotiations next week.
The UK has said it will leave the customs union - the EU's tariff-free trading area-after Brexit. He said said he hoped there would be a break-through on the financial settlement issue, and that it would be positive if the UK government started to discuss a figure.
It has proposed a new "innovative and untested approach" which would remove the need for any customs checks between the UK and the EU. The parliament's resolution on Brexit states that it is "especially concerned" by the impact on Northern Ireland and that is "crucial" to preserve the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.
An alternative proposal involves a "highly streamlined arrangement" which would mean small businesses trading across the Irish border avoiding any new tariffs or paperwork. Mr Verhofstadt has previously said: "We will never accept a hard border again between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic."
Last month, he dismissed the UK's proposals for its future customs relationship with the European Union as "a fantasy".
The UK has said it will leave the customs union - the EU's tariff-free trading area - after Brexit.
It has proposed an "innovative and untested approach" that would remove the need for any customs checks between the UK and the EU.
An alternative proposal involves a "highly streamlined arrangement" which would mean small businesses trading across the Irish border, avoiding any new tariffs or paperwork.
Both proposals have been met with a sceptical response by other EU leaders.Both proposals have been met with a sceptical response by other EU leaders.
On Friday, Prime Minister Theresa May will travel to Italy to make a speech on Brexit, ahead of round of negotiations next week.