Leo Varadkar says there’s a ‘growing possibility’ of a no-deal Brexit this year Irish PM says preparations for checks at ports and airports are being ramped up

The Irish Prime Minister has said he believes there is a “growing possibility” of a no-deal Brexit at the end of the year.

Leo Varadkar disclosed that Irish ministers are ramping up preparations for Britain and the European Union to fail to reach agreement on a post-Brexit free trade deal.

“We need to make sure we are fully prepared at our ports and airports to institute whatever checks are necessary,” he said.

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Boris Johnson argues that Britain could have an Australian-style trading relationship with the EU if the two sides cannot strike a deal by 31 December. But critics argue that would be tantamount to reverting to World Trade Organisation terms.

Such an outcome would not affect the status of the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. But it could require detailed checks on items heading from Great Britain to Northern Ireland or the Republic.

On Royals’ agenda

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge discussed the implications of Brexit with Ireland’s President Michael D Higgins during the first day of their Irish tour.

William and Kate talked about the UK’s decision to leave the EU during a meeting with the head of state and his wife Sabina – after the duke and duchess paid tribute to their hosts by featuring Ireland’s national colour green in their outfits.

The foursome also chatted about building on the foundations of the Good Friday Agreement which ushered in peace in Northern Ireland, said a spokesman for the president.

And in a symbolic gesture, the couple called for a “brighter future” in a handwritten note left with a wreath laid at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance.

Gruelling task

The warning from Mr Varadkar – who is acting as caretaker Taoiseach until a government can be formed, following Ireland’s inconclusive election in February – echoed comments from other senior EU figures, as talks between EU and UK negotiators entered their second day.

France’s European affairs minister, Amélie de Montchalin, has said it is “for the birds” for Mr Johnson to claim that Britain could as an alternative pursue an Australia-style trading relationship with the bloc. And she has suggested that the post-Brexit transition period could have to be extended for another six months – a step which has been firmly ruled out by the UK government.

After the two sides set out their opening positions in Brussels, the negotiating teams began the gruelling task on Tuesday of exploring the detail of a potential trade deal.

The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said the talks were going well but stressed that the Brexit process was a “a school of patience”.

He added: “In the first phase, we are trying to see clearly, precisely, where our divergences, grey zones, convergences are.”