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Unionists in Brussels for Barnier Brexit talks DUP leader Foster issues Brussels Brexit warning
(35 minutes later)
Representatives of Northern Ireland's two main unionist parties are meeting the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, to discuss Brexit issues. The DUP leader has again warned she will not support any Brexit deal that could lead to new economic barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Ulster Unionists (UUP) are to hold separate meetings in Brussels. Arlene Foster was speaking after a meeting with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels.
The government is expected to give details of its border backstop plan in the coming days.
Mrs Foster said it would be studied carefully.
"What we need to see is the legal text," she said.
"We cannot talk in a vacuum. We need to see what has been proposed and we will check that against what we have called our red line."
Mrs Foster said she hadn't been shown a text of a "hybrid backstop" plan being worked up by UK officials.
She also clarified her controversial remarks about the party having blood red lines.
"What I meant is deep red, they aren't pink," she said.
Representatives of Northern Ireland's two main unionist parties - the DUP and the Ulster Unionists - have been meeting Mr Barnier, to discuss Brexit.
Mr Barnier recently called for "less drama" over the so-called Brexit backstop regarding the Irish border.Mr Barnier recently called for "less drama" over the so-called Brexit backstop regarding the Irish border.
The EU negotiator held talks with four of NI's other parties last Friday.The EU negotiator held talks with four of NI's other parties last Friday.
The backstop arrangement could apply if the Irish border cannot be kept as frictionless as it is now in the context of a wider deal.The backstop arrangement could apply if the Irish border cannot be kept as frictionless as it is now in the context of a wider deal.
'Catastrophic' warning'Catastrophic' warning
DUP leader Arlene Foster has warned that the party will not support a Brexit deal that could lead to any new checks on goods coming into NI from elsewhere in the UK. Mrs Foster has warned that the party will not support a Brexit deal that could lead to any new checks on goods coming into NI from elsewhere in the UK.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's meeting, she said: "The United Kingdom single market must be protected with no new borders between Northern Ireland and Great Britain being created. From day one this has been the DUP's only red line.Speaking ahead of Tuesday's meeting, she said: "The United Kingdom single market must be protected with no new borders between Northern Ireland and Great Britain being created. From day one this has been the DUP's only red line.
"Over 70% of all goods leaving Belfast port are destined for Great Britain. To create a barrier to that trade would be catastrophic.""Over 70% of all goods leaving Belfast port are destined for Great Britain. To create a barrier to that trade would be catastrophic."
UUP leader Robin Swann said it was very important that the voice of unionism be heard in this critical phase of the Brexit negotiations.UUP leader Robin Swann said it was very important that the voice of unionism be heard in this critical phase of the Brexit negotiations.
"As unionists, it is vital to us that the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom is preserved throughout this process, but it is also clear that in terms of the economic well-being of Northern Ireland any border along the Irish Sea would be as harmful as a no-deal Brexit," he said."As unionists, it is vital to us that the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom is preserved throughout this process, but it is also clear that in terms of the economic well-being of Northern Ireland any border along the Irish Sea would be as harmful as a no-deal Brexit," he said.
Following their meeting with Mr Barnier last week, Sinn Féin and the SDLP said they rejected the possibility of Stormont having a say over what kind of backstop may emerge.Following their meeting with Mr Barnier last week, Sinn Féin and the SDLP said they rejected the possibility of Stormont having a say over what kind of backstop may emerge.
Proposals being worked on by the British government are said to include some kind of role for MLAs, but the nationalist parties are fearful that this would give rise to a veto for the DUP.Proposals being worked on by the British government are said to include some kind of role for MLAs, but the nationalist parties are fearful that this would give rise to a veto for the DUP.
On Saturday, EU officials expressed optimism that a Brexit deal could be struck by the end of the year.On Saturday, EU officials expressed optimism that a Brexit deal could be struck by the end of the year.
But Irish taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar said there is still "a fair bit of work to be done".But Irish taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar said there is still "a fair bit of work to be done".
NI secretary Karen Bradley told the Conservative Party conference the government would "never ever allow a border down the Irish Sea".NI secretary Karen Bradley told the Conservative Party conference the government would "never ever allow a border down the Irish Sea".
The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019.The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019.