Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told British prime minister Boris Johnson that avoiding a hard border "is the priority of this government" as the two met in Dublin to discuss Brexit.
Beginning his statement after meeting with Mr Johnson in Government Buildings, Mr Varadkar "sincerely" welcomed the prime minister.
"We both agree we have much to discuss, we accept the democratic and sovereign decisions to leave the EU," he said.
"However in my view the story of Brexit won't end if the UK leaves the EU the 31st October or 31st of January.
"There is no such thing as a clean break."
Mr Varadkar added that both leaders have a shared desire to see the restoration of the devolved administration at Stormont, which has been deadlocked between the two main parties over equality issues.
"The tánaiste (Simon Coveney) and secretary of state (Julian Smith) are already working closely together on that," Mr Varadkar said.
"The Good Friday Agreement is proof that old foes can come together to deal with the most intractable of problems. As co-guarantors of the Agreement, I look forward to exploring with you, how working with the Northern Ireland parties, we can restore powersharing and devolution."
The taoiseach, who has said he would be open to an extension to Brexit if there is good reason, added that more talks will be needed in any circumstance which the UK leaves the EU.
Mr Varadkar said: "The story of Brexit will not end if the United Kingdom leaves on October 31 or even January 31 - there is no such thing as a clean break. No such thing as just getting it done. Rather, we just enter a new phase.
"We will have to get back to the negotiating table. When we do, the first and only items on the agenda will be citizens' rights, the financial settlement and the Irish border."
He went on to tell Mr Johnson that negotiating trade agreements with the EU and US and securing their ratification in less than three years is going to be a "Herculean" task.
"We want to be your friend and ally, your Athena, in doing so," he said.
"The manner in which you leave the EU will determine if that's possible.
Direct rule contrary to governments' agreement
Mr Varadkar said that direct rule in Northern Ireland would be "contrary to the St Andrews agreement" and "we want to see east-west institutions used to full effect to give us an opportunity to have a consultative role in any big decision in Northern Ireland."
Read More: Leo Varadkar does not expect a breakthrough at meeting with Boris Johnson
"No deal will cause much disruption to Ireland," Mr Varadkar added.
Ireland's Leo Varadkar warns UK PM Boris Johnson "if there is no deal, it will cause disruption for British and Irish people alike", adding "there's no such thing as a clean break, or just getting it done", when it comes to #Brexithttps://t.co/wf2JSjRlrm pic.twitter.com/oYXguzE6Y1
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) September 9, 2019
"All issues which we have resolved in the Withdrawal Agreement, agreed by 28 governments.
"Well have to deal with issues like tariffs and state aid, ratified by 28 governments."
'Ready to listen'
Mr Varadkar added that organising trade deals with the US and other governments would be a "Herculean task".
"We do want to be your friend and ally in doing so," he added.
Irish Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar telling Boris Johnson some hard truths about Brexit, to his discomfort.
— Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy) September 9, 2019
If only our own government were honest enough also to communicate this clear & blunt reality to the UK public.pic.twitter.com/ZgU2JqgFd5
"I am ready to listen, but what we will not do is replace a legal guarantee with a promise.
"So the stakes are high, avoiding a return to a hard border is the priority of this government.
"We are open to all alternatives legally workable but we have not received such to date.
"The Good Friday Agreement is the best example to show that old foes can come together and as co-guarantors of that agreement.
"I look forward to talking to you about how we can restore the institutions in Northern Ireland."
Backstop alternatives
Mr Varadkar, when asked about alternatives to the backstop, said: "I'm very keen to have this matter resolved at the EU summit. Brexit has dominated politics for far too long now. This is an opportunity for common ground and finding a solution.
"As for an extension, we'd like to see this dealt with but if there is a good reason to have an extension we would consider it."
Prefer a deal
Boris Johnson said he would "overwhelmingly" prefer Britain to leave the EU with a deal and he believed it was possible to get a new agreement by October 18.
"I want to find a deal. I have looked carefully at no-deal. Yes, we could do it, the UK could certainly get through it, but be in no doubt that outcome would be a failure of statecraft for which we would all be responsible," he said.
"I would overwhelmingly prefer to find an agreement. I do believe that a deal can be done by October 18 so let's do it together."
Border concerns
Asked about the Irish border, and why he has not returned as PM, Mr Johnson said: "I've seen the old border and how absolutely vital it is we keep the open border, on the plan, it's fairly obvious, we need to find a way of ensuring that the UK is not kept locked in backstop arrangement while giving Ireland the assurance that it needs," he said.
"Whether it's electronic pre-clearance or concept of the unity of island for agri-foods, and other ideas we'll bring forward to address the full range.
"I don't underestimate the technical problems but I do think there is a way through."
"The 27 will want a shared position and we respect that, but we will talk with our Irish friends how we can help that," Mr Johnson said.
"It is incumbent on us as the UK to talk to Ireland."
Democratic decision
Mr Johnson said that everyone understands the political sensitivities of the border.
He said: "But also we must allow UK democratic decision to be honoured, I genuinely think it can be done, there is a way forward and I'm delighted it's been approached in a positive way in Dublin."
"There are an abundance of proposals that we have but I don't think reasonable to share with you today Karl, (journalist), we have indicated areas progress needs to be made," Mr Johnson said.
"Be in no doubt we can do it and will address it enthusiastically. "30 years - I mean 30 days ought to be enough if we concentrate our minds."
October 31 deadline
Mr Johnson said that it was essential that Britain left the EU by the deadline of October 31.
Speaking alongside Mr Varadkar, he said it should be possible to do so while preserving the unchecked movement of people and goods across the Irish border, maintaining the Good Friday agreement and protecting the economic unity of the island of Ireland.
"I think we can achieve these things while allowing the UK to withdraw whole and entire from the EU," he said.
"Strip away the politics and at the core of each problem you find practical issues that can be resolved with sufficient energy and a spirit of compromise."
No backstop is no deal
Mr Varadkar said: "In the absence of agreed alternative arrangements, no backstop is no deal for us.
"All it does is kick the can down the road for another 14 months."
Protests against Johnson visit
Up to 100 demonstrators gathered outside Leinster House ahead of Mr Johnson's visit to Dublin.
The protest was led by Seamus McDonnell from Co Armagh who chanted: "No customs, no border, no Brexit."
Sinn Féin councillor Dessie Ellis said: "We're here today to protest against Boris Johnson's visit to Dublin. We want to send out a strong message that we will not stand for a hard border or any border. There are people from all around the country here to tell him that today but particularly from the border region," said Mr Ellis.
"People living in the border region will suffer immensely if a border comes back so the taoiseach needs to stand strong, stand his ground and give that message from the Irish people," said Mr Ellis.
"I think this visit from Boris Johnson is all about the optics. I would be very surprised if he delivers anything because he has been spoofing all throughout his negotiations with the EU so why is he going to treat the Irish government any differently" he said.
As Mr Varadkar welcomed his British counterpart to Dublin at the door, Mr Johnson was overheard mentioning the "very well behaved press".
