Barnier: UK must provide solution for Irish border

Michel Barnier said the onus was on the UK “to come forward with proposals” to avoid imposing a physical border in Ireland amid talks Northern Ireland could stay part of the EU’s single market and customs union after Brexit.“Those who want Brexit must offer solutions”, said Mr Barnier at a Centre for European Reform conference in Brussels on Monday. The UK has resisted plans to allow Northern Ireland to become an effective “special economic area” within Britain. But Mr Barnier said it was not clear whether the British government would maintain its regulatory harmony with the EU after Brexit – complicating the future position of Northern Ireland.“The UK said it would continue to apply some EU rules on its territory. But not all rules.What is therefore unclear is what rules will apply in Northern Ireland after Brexit. And what the UK is willing to commit to, in order to avoid a hard border” he said.