10:03

Ireland has “advanced” preparations for the possibility of Britain crashing out of the EU with no deal, Leo Varadkar has said.

In an update yesterday to his parliamentarians on his talks with Theresa May on the fringes of the EU summit last week, the Irish prime minister promised Ireland would be prepared to press the button a no-deal scenario. He said:

While I am hopeful that we will achieve a very close, comprehensive and ambitious future relationship with the UK, the government is of course continuing to plan for the full range of scenarios.

Our work is well advanced and we will be in a position to take the necessary decisions if and when required.

He told Irish MPs that the EU 27 were still firmly united by the the need for legally operational text on a backstop for the Irish border.

He said he told May that while he still hoped for a deal that would obviate any need for a hard border, such an agreement would still not remove the need for a “legally robust backstop to apply” to “ensure there will never be a hard border on this island” whatever government is in power.

The European Commission has asked all neighbours of Britain to step up no-deal planning with Holland already in advanced stages with hundreds of customs officers being recruited. France is also looking at recruiting more officers and Ireland is expected to make a series of announcements in the coming weeks on its contingency planning.