Ireland on Sunday rejected the possibility of an alternative deal for the Irish border post Brexit, but said it continued to support the backstop as outlined in the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

"We remain united [and] focused on protecting Ireland," Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney wrote on Twitter. "That includes continued support for the EU/UK agreed [Withdrawal Agreement] in full, including the Backstop as negotiated."

UK Prime Minister Theresa May held a conference call with ministers on Sunday afternoon, outlining a plan for a position on the backstop that her Conservative members and her Northern Irish supporters in the DUP would support.

Earlier in the day, The Sunday Times said aides to May believed a deal with Dublin would remove the huge opposition to the country's withdrawal agreement setting out its divorce from the European Union.

A 'mystery' to Germany's Heiko Maas

Following the report, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said it was unclear how talks between Britain and Ireland on the backstop issue would work.

"We have to negotiate and also agree a withdrawal agreement with Britain. It is a bit of a mystery to me what the British government wants to negotiate with Dublin or what sort of an additional agreement it should be," Maas told public broadcaster ZDF.

"It wouldn't have any effect on what was agreed with the [European] Commission," he added.

Watch video 02:35 Share Ireland: Brexit Border Fears Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3BpJf Ireland: Brexit Border Fears

May lost a parliamentary vote on the deal last week, having failed to win the support of pro-Brexit rebel lawmakers in her own party and the DUP, which props up her minority government.

Read more: Brexit: German leaders write emotional letter to Britain

Many MPs oppose the backstop that the European Union insists on as a guarantee to avoid a hard border between the Irish Republic, which remains an EU member, and Northern Ireland, which will leave with the rest of the UK on March 29.

Last Tuesday's defeat left Britain facing the prospect of no deal to smooth its exit from the EU in little more than two months' time.

New options due

On Monday, May is due to announce in Parliament how she plans to proceed, after holding discussions with other political parties in the wake of the landslide vote.

The newspaper later updated its own story saying the Irish government was not supportive of the treaty plan. It cited senior Irish government sources who said May's proposal was "not something we would entertain."

Read more: India, the EU and the hard realities of a post-Brexit world

May's office, meanwhile, described as "extremely concerning" reports that senior Conservative politicians were plotting for Parliament to seize control of Brexit.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love the Royals Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's longest reigning monarch. She has been Queen since 1952 and has come to symbolize continuity and stability, tradition and self-discipline. Walking two steps behind her is usually the love of her life, her husband Prince Philip. This year she turned 93, and he is 98.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love pop music from Britain The Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Ron Wood pose at Havana Airport in Cuba. The veteran British band performed there for the first time on March 24, 2016 — writing music history.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love the British capital and its sights Tower Bridge in the center of London has been one of the city's most famous landmarks since 1894. London is among Europe's most popular travel destinations, drawing more than 30 million tourists each year.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love British writers and the protagonists of their books The adventures of the young wizard invented by J. K. Rowling have found fans all over the world. This picture shows Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe, in his second year of training at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love beautiful British models Naomi Campbell has been a key face in the international fashion business for almost three decades. Born in London, she was the first black model to be shown on the cover of French edition of Vogue magazine. She was one of the six models of the 1990s to be declared supermodels.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love British humor Few people can make us laugh like Rowan Atkinson, alias Mr. Bean, does. The Mr. Bean comedy series was produced from 1989 to 1995 and has a cult following.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love Britain's great gardens and parks Kew Gardens in southwestern London are one of the world's oldest botanic gardens. The British are famous for their gardening skills and are regarded as experts in cultivating immaculate lawns. Arguably, no other country in Europe has such lovely gardens.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love British style The focus is not on speed, but on elegance and class. The famous British understatement is also evident in Britain's luxury cars, like the Rolls-Royce. The company was bought by Germans, but it remains a British classic.

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love their somewhat strange taste There are certainly other European countries that are more famous for their cuisine. But if the British don't leave us, we'll never complain about their warm beer or lamb with mint sauce again. We promise!

Beyond Brexit: Why we love the British We love their traditions The British taught us how enjoyable sightseeing can be. London's double-decker buses are more than a means of transportation. They still characterize the appearance of the British metropolis on the Thames.



Amendments planned

British media reported that one group of MPs plans to table a motion this week that would suspend the country's withdrawal process under the EU's Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

Other politicians are said to be planning an amendment making it impossible for Britain to leave the EU without a deal.

"The British public voted to leave the European Union, and it is vital that elected politicians deliver upon that verdict," a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

"Any attempt to remove the government's power to meet the legal conditions of an orderly exit at this moment of historic significance is extremely concerning."

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox warned of a "political tsunami" if MPs fail to deliver on the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, he slammed those calling for May to rule out a no-deal Brexit — a key demand of the main opposition Labour Party — saying the "most stupid thing possible" in a negotiation is to "give away your strongest card."

Watch video 02:17 Share Germany: A Shop Succumbs to Brexit Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3BpK2 Germany: A Shop Succumbs to Brexit

rs, mm/jm (AFP, Reuters)

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