AS talks between Theresa May and the Labour Party continue in an attempt to break the Brexit crisis, there have been fresh warnings about the implications of a no-deal on Northern Ireland's economy, with the deadline to leave the EU looming.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she had once again warned Theresa May during a phone call yesterday about the Prime Minister's commitment to upholding the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).
Mrs May has until April 11 to either secure agreement on her withdrawal agreement or agree an extension with the European Union, or else Britain will crash out of the EU.
"The reality is that a crash-out Brexit is still a very live possibility," said Ms McDonald.
"At the beginning of the Brexit debacle, promises were made to protect the GFA, citizens rights and to prevent a hard border. We put it to the PM that these commitments must be honoured.
"The idea of re-instating any form of the border on the island of Ireland is almost like suggesting we rebuild the Berlin wall, from a political point of view. It is imperative that we protect political progress," she added.
The DUP, who have been sidelined in these latest talks, appeared to backtrack on previous comments that suggested they might back a deal that included a permanent Customs Union with the EU.
DUP Lagan Valley MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the referendum result "must be respected and implemented".
"People voted to leave the EU. To do otherwise would be a betrayal of democracy.
"Whilst the prime minister and her government may consider other options as halfway houses or staging posts, that is not the Brexit which people voted for. We will work in Parliament for the referendum result to be properly respected," he said.
This appeared to be backtracking on comments made earlier this week when he said his party might be open to a customs arrangement with the EU.
"Since the referendum, the DUP has argued for an exit deal which respects the referendum result and protects the Union," Mr Donaldson said.
"It is late in the day, but it is still possible to secure a deal which implements the referendum result and enables the United Kingdom to take back control of its trade, money, laws and borders."
The party have said they continue to support the Brady Amendment, passed by the House of Commons in January, calling for the government to renegotiate the provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement replacing the backstop with unspecified 'alternative arrangements'.
"Rather than subcontract our negotiations to Jeremy Corbyn, the prime minister should urge her counterparts across the European Union to recognise the Brady Amendment and work towards a sensible deal which parliament can rally behind," Mr Donaldson added.
Meanwhile the agri-food sector has once again warned that a no deal scenario would be the "worst possible outcome" for the lamb and beef industry, currently worth £1.3billion to the Northern Ireland economy.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC), and the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association (NIMEA) issued a joint statement saying that if a deal is not reached on time it will "jeopardise" the ability to export and undermine the domestic market.
"This is not project fear. This is project fact," they said.
"Information and facts released in recent weeks have made for stark reading. There will be steep tariff and regulatory barriers and we no longer need to speculate about the disastrous consequences for our farming industry."
