The Irish Government will have to "ask some serious questions" if significant progress on an Irish backstop is not made in Brexit negotiations by June, the Tánaiste has told the Dáil.
Simon Coveney said some evidence of the backstop, or guarantee that there will be no hard border even if Britain leaves the customs union, must be on the table by June.
He was responding to a question from Fianna Fáil's Brexit spokesperson Stephen Donnelly during Ministers' Questions this morning.
Mr Donnelly said: "Last Monday, many of us were taken by surprise when the EU taskforce released the Brexit document which showed that no progress had been made on releasing the legal wording for the backstop ensuring no border around Northern Ireland.
"And last Friday the Taoiseach said the wording may not be agreed until October. How long will the Government allow phase two continue without clarity on that specific legal wording that needs to be in final document?"
Mr Coveney replied: "The draft that the EU produced, the British government didn't agree with it. Now it’s up to the British government to come forward with their proposals that has the same outcome in terms of what was committed to in paragraph 49 in terms of maintaining full alignment with the rules of the customs union to avoid any hard border.
"Ireland asked for a review of guidelines in June so that we would be able to reassess the approach of the British government on a whole range of issues before any deal can be concluded in October.
"So I would certainly be hopeful that we would see some progress on the Irish backstop issue by June so that we will be able to make an assessment as to whether we are on track to get a draft withdrawal treaty or withdrawal agreement agreed by October."
He added: "I think June is a significant date from an Irish perspective.
"If there is no progress or no significant effort at making progress in relation to a backstop that can provide reassurance to the Irish Government by June, then I do thing we will have to ask some serious questions. Because if it is not possible by June is it going to be possible by October."
Later the Tánaiste pointed out that "Ireland's problem is the EU's problem" and he also believes the EU taskforce will expect significant progress by June.
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