Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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131. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his conversation with Prime Minister May on 5 November 2018 regarding Brexit. [46530/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I spoke by phone to the British Prime Minister, Theresa May on 5 November. The Prime Minister sought the call in order to update me on the current state of the Brexit negotiations.

We both emphasised our commitment to avoiding a hard border and the need for a legally operable backstop.

The Prime Minister raised the possibility of a review mechanism for the backstop.

I indicated an openness to consider proposals for a review, provided that it was clear that the outcome of any such review could not involve a unilateral decision to end the backstop.

I recalled the prior commitments made that the backstop must apply ‘unless and until’ alternative arrangements are agreed.

We both expressed the hope that the negotiations could conclude in a satisfactory manner as soon as possible.