EUROPEAN COMMISSION President Jean Claude Juncker has told Ireland ‘you are not alone’ as negotiations over Brexit continue.
Mr Juncker was addressing a joint sitting of the Oireachtas at the beginning of a two-day trip to Ireland.
The visit comes ahead next week’s two-day European Council meeting, at which EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will update European heads of state on the progress of talks.
With Taoiseach Leo Varadkar having this week criticised Britain for its failure to agree a permanent customs backstop to avoid a hard border, he will welcome the show of support from Juncker and the EU.
Ireland backed
“This is not a bilateral question between Ireland and the United Kingdom, this is an issue between the UK and the European Union,” said Juncker.
He added: “We wanted to make it clear again and again that Ireland is not alone.
“We have Ireland backed by 26 member states and by the Commission.
“This will not change.
"I am strongly against any temptation to try to isolate Ireland and not to conclude a deal on Ireland.
"Ireland has to be part of the deal.”
Juncker was presented with an honorary degree by NUI Chancellor Dr Maurice Manning (Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)While Juncker said Britain's proposal for a temporary customs agreement showed a willingness to make progress, he claimed their plan lacked detail and only raised further questions.
With only 10 months until Brexit, said Juncker, it was time for more answers and less questions.
“We will continue – my friend Michel Barnier, myself and others – to take a pragmatic approach to finding solutions," he said.
“But I also want to be clear – Ireland will come first.
“There are those who think that the other 26 countries will abandon Ireland at the last minute for a sectoral deal that suits them.
“Those people have not understood what being part of our Union means.
“Ireland's border is Europe’s border – and it is our Union’s priority.”
Mr Juncker also received an honorary degree from the National University of Ireland on Thursday, before heading to Dublin Castle for a dinner hosted by the Taoiseach.
