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Brexit: Theresa May and Leo Varadkar in talks Leo Varadkar: 'Too early' to assess Brexit progress
(35 minutes later)
Prime Minister Theresa May has met Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar in London for talks on Brexit and Northern Ireland's political deadlock. It is too early to say whether the UK has made sufficient progress in Brexit talks, the Irish prime minister has said.
Mr Varadkar has given Mrs May's speech in Florence a cautious welcome. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was speaking after talks with Prime Minister Theresa May in Downing Street.
He said her proposal for a post-Brexit transitional period was a step in the right direction. Mr Varadkar gave Mrs May's speech in Florence a cautious welcome.
Mrs May said there should be a two-year transition period after the UK leaves the EU in 2019, during which trade would continue on current terms. Speaking to reporters following their talks, he said her proposal for a post-Brexit transitional period was a step in the right direction.
Mr Varadkar said the two leaders were in a "shared space" on trying to get Northern Ireland's Executive up and running again - adding that it was important that the UK government did not want any form of physical border on the island of Ireland.
'No hard border'
In her speech in Florence on Friday, the Prime Minister offered to continue paying into EU coffers during the transition period to ensure the bloc is not left with a budget black hole.In her speech in Florence on Friday, the Prime Minister offered to continue paying into EU coffers during the transition period to ensure the bloc is not left with a budget black hole.
Mrs May said there should be a two-year transition period after the UK leaves the EU in 2019, during which trade would continue on current terms.
Mrs May restated the UK's position that there would be no hard Irish border after Brexit.Mrs May restated the UK's position that there would be no hard Irish border after Brexit.
Although the UK will be leaving both the customs union and the single market, she said that both the UK and EU had "stated explicitly" they would not accept any "physical infrastructure" along the frontier.Although the UK will be leaving both the customs union and the single market, she said that both the UK and EU had "stated explicitly" they would not accept any "physical infrastructure" along the frontier.
In her first meeting with an EU leader since the Florence speech, Mr Varadkar is expected to reiterate the cautious welcome he gave to elements of the speech.
However, it is believed he will repeat his concern that a satisfactory solution on the border issue has not been presented, Irish broadcaster RTE reports.
Meanwhile, the Welsh first minister has said that, when it comes to discussions with the UK government about Brexit, Northern Ireland's voice is "not being heard."Meanwhile, the Welsh first minister has said that, when it comes to discussions with the UK government about Brexit, Northern Ireland's voice is "not being heard."
Speaking at the Labour Conference in Brighton, Carwyn Jones told the BBC "a Westminster minister can never have the same kind of clout or knowledge that a politician from Northern Ireland, or politicians can have".Speaking at the Labour Conference in Brighton, Carwyn Jones told the BBC "a Westminster minister can never have the same kind of clout or knowledge that a politician from Northern Ireland, or politicians can have".
He said the issue of the Irish border needed to be given the top priority in discussions between the UK and the EU.He said the issue of the Irish border needed to be given the top priority in discussions between the UK and the EU.
"Unless you resolve the issue of the border you cannot resolve issues around the single market and the customs union. The UK can not be out of the customs union but have an open and patrolled border with a country that is in the customs union - it just does not work," Mr Jones said."Unless you resolve the issue of the border you cannot resolve issues around the single market and the customs union. The UK can not be out of the customs union but have an open and patrolled border with a country that is in the customs union - it just does not work," Mr Jones said.
He said the UK should stay in the single market, and said the experience of Norway should be used as an example.He said the UK should stay in the single market, and said the experience of Norway should be used as an example.
Northern Ireland has effectively been without a devolved government since January.Northern Ireland has effectively been without a devolved government since January.
Its institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.Its institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.
Several rounds of talks have failed to reach an agreement.Several rounds of talks have failed to reach an agreement.
The DUP has welcomed comments from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams indicating that republicans are committed to the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland.The DUP has welcomed comments from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams indicating that republicans are committed to the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland.
Mr Adams told a republican commemoration event that a deal to restore the Stormont executive was possible.Mr Adams told a republican commemoration event that a deal to restore the Stormont executive was possible.