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Arlene Foster: UK must leave customs union and single market

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre) is welcomed to Queen's University Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre) is welcomed to Queen's University Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre) is welcomed to Queen's University Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell

ARLENE Foster has said the options for Brexit are "not binary" and she wants to find "practical solutions" to border issues.

The DUP leader struck a conciliatory tone after she met Leo Varadkar during his first visit to the north since becoming Taoiseach.

Earlier, Mr Varadkar proposed a bilateral EU/UK customs union and raised the possibility of the UK joining the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) after it exited the EU.

And he said he was "willing to drop everything" to help end the political deadlock at Stormont but only if he believes it will make a difference.

Mrs Foster insisted the UK would leave the customs union and single market.

"But, as we said before, we want to see the maximum access to the single market so we can make sure for businesses that there is continuing relationship with the European Union," she said.

"We are leaving the European Union but we still want to do business very firmly with Europe and it is finding those practical solutions that we want to engage in.

"Not through megaphone diplomacy but actually through getting down to the nitty gritty for what's needed for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as well."

Sinn Féin and the SDLP have demanded that the north secures special designated EU status post-Brexit.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, who said he intends to lead his party into the Republic's next general election, welcomed the Taoiseach's stance on Brexit.

"I criticised his predecessor (Enda Kenny) quite a few times and indeed the leader of Fianna Fail (Micheál Martin) because they seemed to be mesmerised by what the British were doing," he said.

"Now we have a very, very clear message."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described his meeting as "productive" but encouraged Mr Varadkar to "engage much more directly in the talks process".

"There is a huge debate going on across the continent about our future and we have been left voiceless," he said.

He added: "Progress must now be made to give us a voice on Brexit and to get on with the job that we were elected to do - that is delivering on health, education and our economy".

Alliance leader Naomi Long welcomed Mr Varadkar's commitment to a special status for the north.

"This was a constructive meeting, particularly given the Taoiseach’s comments earlier today in which he called for 'unique solutions' to the issue of Brexit," she said.