News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

MEPs burst into a chorus of 'Auld Lang Syne' following the vote

EU gives Brexit final approval, paving way for UK exit

The European Parliament has ratified the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, sealing Britain's exit from the European Union on Friday.

Brexit • 29 Jan 20

Michel Barnier said the 11 month time frame is not enough

More time needed to agree full deal with UK - Barnier

A comprehensive agreement on the future relationship between the EU and Britain will take longer to agree than the 11-month transition period that begins when the UK leaves the EU at the end of January, the EU's chief negotiator has said.

Brexit • 09 Jan 20

Simon Coveney said there was goodwill and determination on both sides to get a deal done

Tánaiste says deal may not be possible at EU summit

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has suggested that a Brexit deal may not be possible at the EU summit in Brussels this week.

Brexit • 14 Oct 19

The EU said the UK's proposals have fallen short of what is required

UK yet to provide 'legal, operational' ideas - Barnier

The European Union's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said that the UK has yet to provide "legal and operational" proposals that could break the Brexit impasse.

Brexit • 26 Sep 19

Michel Barnier said he had received no plausible proposal from Britain as to how the backstop could be replaced

Barnier not optimistic Brexit deal will be reached

Europe's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned European politicians that he has no reason to be optimistic that Brussels and London will agree an orderly divorce.

Brexit • 12 Sep 19

Michel Barnier was speaking at a meeting of EU officials

Idea that EU will cave in on Brexit 'wrong' - Barnier

European Union Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has told a meeting of EU diplomats that Britain's suggestion the EU 27 will eventually cave in on Brexit is wrong.

Brexit • 05 Sep 19

Michel Barnier was due to speak at Belfast's Queen's University

Barnier pulls out of Northern Ireland visit

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has pulled out of a planned visit to Northern Ireland next Monday.

Ireland • 04 Sep 19

Michel Barnier warned that Mr Johnson's decision to focus efforts on planning for a no-deal Brexit could be an attempt to put pressure on the unity of the EU

Johnson's Brexit demands 'unacceptable' - Barnier

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has warned member states that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's demands to change the Withdrawal Agreement are unacceptable.

Brexit • 25 Jul 19

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (R) meets Leo Varadkar (L) on the sidelines of the EU summit

'Enormous hostility' across EU to any Brexit extension

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said there is enormous hostility across the EU to any extension to Brexit adding that some had lost patience with the UK.

Europe • 20 Jun 19

The Tánaiste said the Government's position had not changed and it does not change because there is a change in personality of British Prime Minister

Tánaiste says Govt's Brexit position will not change

A change of personality in the role of British Prime Minister will not change the Irish Government's position on the Border backstop, the Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said.

Brexit • 18 Jun 19

Michel Barnier said the next week will be very important

Coming week important for Brexit negotiations - Barnier

The outcome of talks between British Prime Minister Theresa May's government and the Labour Party over the Brexit deadlock could be known in the coming week, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator said.

Brexit • 28 Apr 19

Leo Varadkar and Michel Barnier met ahead of the EU summit in Brussels

EU will stand 'fully behind Ireland', says Barnier

European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said the EU will "stand fully behind Ireland" regardless of what happens in the Brexit negotiations.

Brexit • 08 Apr 19

The Cabinet held a meeting dominated by Brexit this evening

No-deal Brexit preparations should not lose pace - Govt

At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night, the Government discussed the latest political developments in London and received an update on the country's state of preparedness.

Brexit • 02 Apr 19

Theresa May said it was time to make a decision on Brexit

Theresa May urges MPs to deliver Brexit

British Prime Minister Theresa May has urged MPs to back her EU withdrawal deal and honour the result of the country's referendum.

Brexit • 20 Mar 19

Michel Barnier said only the UK can chart its way out of the stalemate

Brexit deal only orderly way out for UK - Barnier

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has told the European Parliament that the Withdrawal Agreement reached last November "is and will remain the only available treaty".

Brexit • 13 Mar 19

Jeremy Hunt said that unless politicians backed the government's exit deal on Tuesday then Brexit could be reversed

Hunt warns politicians to support May's Brexit deal

Britain's foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has said there is momentum behind a move to stop Brexit.

Brexit • 10 Mar 19

Michel Barnier and his sons are here for the Ireland v France rugby game tomorrow

Michel Barnier will informally meet Taoiseach tomorrow

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator will informally speak to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney during his visit to Dublin this weekend.

Brexit • 11 Mar 19

There had been speculation Theresa May could fly out to Brussels early on Monday to clinch a deal

Theresa May's Brexit deal hopes hang in balance

British Prime Minister Theresa May's hopes of a Brexit breakthrough are hanging in the balance after the EU appeared to rebuff her latest appeal for help in getting her withdrawal deal through Parliament.

Brexit • 09 Mar 19

Michel Barnier said Britain would still need to honour its commitment to preserve a border free of control

EU offers Britain unilateral exit from customs union

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said it was ready to offer Britain a unilateral exit from the customs union while maintaining the other elements of the backstop.

Brexit • 08 Mar 19

Michel Barnier is understood to have said proposals put forward by Geoffrey Cox on the backstop were not acceptable

EU downbeat over UK AG's Brexit backstop proposals

British and EU officials are continuing technical talks on the Irish backstop in Brussels today, despite a downbeat assessment by the EU's chief Brexit negotiator of proposals put forward by the UK's Attorney General.

Brexit • 07 Mar 19

Leo Varadkar has said talks are entering a sensitive phase

Taoiseach, ministers meeting to discuss Brexit strategy

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is holding a late night meeting with Government ministers tonight in Farmleigh to discuss the Government's Brexit strategy.

Brexit • 04 Mar 19

Michel Barnier says he is doing his utmost to get a deal

Barnier insists backstop cannot be renegotiated

The European Union's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said he is trying his utmost to ensure there was a deal on Brexit, though he reiterated the Irish backstop could not be renegotiated.

Brexit • 27 Feb 19

Simon Coveney is in Brussels for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council

No 'key-hole surgery' on Withdrawal Agreement - Coveney

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said Ireland is ruling out any "key-hole surgery" on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, and the Irish Government would reject any unilateral exit clause or expiry date to the Irish backstop.

Brexit • 18 Feb 19