Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s taoiseach (prime minister), said it was time for the EU to show their appreciation for smaller states.
Not to do so, he said, risked alienating countries like Ireland and making people across the bloc “whether it is worth being in the EU’.
He said he appreciated the ongoing support from the EU in the face of Brexit, which risks a devastating hard border on the island, but said it needed to continue – even after Brexit.
Mr Varadkar said: “We have absolute unconditional support that there can be no agreement unless a hard border is avoided.
“There’s a real understanding across the EU that the EU demonstrates it supports a small member state staying – even if that means not being able to support a large member state leaving.
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“It’s not just about Ireland, the EU knows this is a test on whether it is worth being in EU.”
He also said a Brexit backstop, in which Northern Ireland would remain economically tied to the Republic of Ireland in order to avoid a hard border, could be precluded by a trade deal.
Mr Varadkar said: “The way the backstop can be changed is for us to develop a close trading relationship between the UK and the EU, so close many of the things within the backstop may become necessary for example a really deep free trade agreement and what’s been talked about before a customs union partnership.
“An alternative solution would bring the UK closer to the union and may mean we don’t need a backstop.”
And he said “welcoming” progress had been made in recent weeks.
Mr Varadkar said: “We are going from phase two to three. That’s welcoming. We’ve agreed the terms of transition and when it comes to jobs, business and farming, transition is agreed.
“Nothing will change until 2021 and that’s very important for us.”
And he warned Prime Minister Theresa May to stick to her word on the backstop, if needed, claiming she was now “duty bound” .
He said: “The British side and others said they would seek some changes but they will now be duty bound by laws they would have no input to.”
The Irish leader will meet with Theresa May tomorrow.
This is a developing story, more to follow…