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Irish border: New draft Brexit agreement proposed Irish border: New draft Brexit plan could break deadlock
(about 1 hour later)
New language for a draft Brexit deal on the Irish border has been proposed in talks between the UK, Ireland and the EU Commission, the BBC understands. Negotiations are continuing into the night over a draft Brexit deal on the Irish border amid a fresh push to reach agreement.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says she has been told it has been shared with the DUP, whose opposition on Monday led to talks breaking down. The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg has been told new wording has been discussed by the UK, EU and Ireland and shared with the Democratic Unionist Party.
The EU Commission said talks would continue into the night, adding: "Tonight more than ever, stay tuned." But it is not yet thought to have been agreed by the DUP, whose opposition on Monday led to talks breaking down.
But a UK government source said: "We're not there yet." Theresa May could travel to Brussels in the early hours if a deal is reached.
European Council President Donald Tusk is due to make a statement on Brexit at 0650 GMT on Friday, prompting speculation that a deal is close.European Council President Donald Tusk is due to make a statement on Brexit at 0650 GMT on Friday, prompting speculation that a deal is close.
European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas tweeted that: "We are making progress, but not yet fully there." European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas tweeted: "We are making progress, but not yet fully there," adding: "Tonight more than ever, stay tuned."
A Number 10 spokesman confirmed talks were ongoing. All sides want progress on the issue ahead of a crucial summit next week, so talks can move on to the future relationship between the UK and the EU after Brexit.
All sides want progress on the issue ahead of a crucial summit next week, so talks can progress on to the future relationship between the UK and the EU after Brexit. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg tweeted:
What happens to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been among the key sticking points in Brexit negotiations.What happens to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been among the key sticking points in Brexit negotiations.
On Monday, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - whose support the UK prime minister needs to win key votes in Westminster - objected to draft plans drawn up by the UK and the EU. On Monday, the DUP - whose support the UK prime minister needs to win key votes in Westminster - objected to draft plans drawn up by the UK and the EU.
The DUP said the proposals, which aimed to avoid border checks by aligning regulations on both sides of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, were not acceptable. They included aligning regulations in Northern Ireland with those in the Republic so as to avoid border checks.
The party has said it will not accept any agreement in which Northern Ireland is treated differently from the rest of the UK. The DUP insists it will not accept any agreement in which Northern Ireland was treated differently from the rest of the UK.
The Republic of Ireland - which is an EU member - says it wants a guarantee that a hard border will not be put up after Brexit. The Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, which is an EU member, wants a guarantee that there will be no hard border between it and Northern Ireland after Brexit.
On Thursday evening, a spokesman for the Irish government said matters were "being considered", but did not confirm whether a new form of text had been tabled by UK negotiators. The UK, which is due to leave the EU in March 2019, wants to open talks on a new free trade deal as soon as possible.
The EU will only agree to discuss this when it judges that enough progress has been made on the "separation issues" - the "divorce bill", expat citizens' rights and the Northern Ireland border - that have been the subject of negotiations so far.
So the UK is trying to settle the Northern Ireland border issue before EU leaders meet next week.