Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he believes the deal struck between the United Kingdom and the European Union on Brexit was the “next best outcome” for Ireland.
He was speaking at a press conference after all 27 European Union leaders endorsed the Brexit deal at a summit in Brussels.
The Taoiseach said the “entire European Union” was of the view that the deal could not be renegotiated.
He said: “There isn’t a plan B. The truth is what we have here is the best deal that is available both for the United Kingdom and for the European Union. We have a backstop in place but we all agree that that’s an insurance policy that has to be there, but would only need to be invoked under certain circumstances.”
British Prime Minister Theresa May has said MPs will have to decide whether to back the Brexit deal and “move forward together into a brighter future” or reject it and “open the door to yet more division and uncertainty”.
After 20 months of negotiations, the 27 EU leaders gave the deal their blessing after less than an hour’s discussion.
They said the deal – which needs to be approved by the UK Parliament – paved the way for an “orderly withdrawal”.
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