London : LEO Varadkar has said the UK would find it “very difficult” to make any trade deals in a no-deal Brexit scenario if the Irish border issue remains unresolved.
The taoiseach said that “after a period of chaos”, the UK would have to accept “full alignment on customs and regulations” in Northern Ireland to avoid a hard border.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds rejected his analysis as “not a constructive contribution” and told Mr Varadkar to “tone down the rhetoric”.
It came as the Irish government yesterday published an outline of legislation that will underpin its plan in the event of a hard Brexit.
British prime minister Theresa May is continuing to consult on a new departure deal with the European Union after MPs overwhelmingly voted down her Withdrawal Agreement.