The Taoiseach was speaking at a press conference alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who he met in Dublin this afternoon, with Brexit top of the agenda. Mr Varadkar said the decision from the House of Commons in continuing to vote against a no deal outcome is “significant and very helpful”, becuase it makes an orderly exit from the European Union more likely. But he warned the remaining EU27 countries will not negotiate with the UK Government – despite apparent progress being made in their talks this week.
The Irish Prime Minister said: “The decision from the House of Commons on a number of occasions to vote against a no deal outcome, to say very clearly they don’t want to leave without a deal, is significant because Parliament is sovereign and expresses the will of the British people which is they don’t want to leave without a dea.l
“That is significant and very helpful, making an orderly Brexit much more likely
But he added: “The difficulties we have as heads of Government in our respective countries is that Governments negotiate with Governments. We have seen the House of Commons examine 12 different options and reject them all.
“There is a reason we came up with the withdrawal agreement and that’s because we went through all of those options as well over the past two years and we came up with a withdrawal agreement.
“Imperfect as it is, this give us what we need for the EU and Ireland, and doesn’t breach any of the Prime Minister’s red lines in her Mansion House and Lancaster House speeches.”
On Wednesday night, MPs continued to flex their muscles by forcing through a draft legislation demanding Theresa May table a motion seeking their approval for an extension to Article 50 beyond April 12.
Mrs Merkel admitted this was a “very interesting” decision from the Commons, but warned Mrs May she will have to table something convincing to leaders at the European Council meeting in Brussels next Wednesday.
The German Chancellor said: “We are following events in UK with great interest.
“It was a very interesting decision from the House of Commons but we will also have to wait and see what happens on the ground and the types of variations we will see
“Next Wednesday we will have a European Council meeting and we shall see what the Prime Minister will tell us.
“We will do everything to prevent a no deal Brexit but we have to do this together with Britain and the position they present to us
“We hope this will open up an orderly Brexit.”
Mr Varadkar called for patience as matters continue to play out in Westminster, highlighting the importance of understanding the “predicament they are in”.
But he warned time is running out and the EU27 should be preparing themselves for all possible outcomes from Brexit.
The Irish Prime Minister said:”Matters continue to play out in London, and we need to continue to be patient and understand the predicament they are in.
“Any extension must have a credible way forward.
“The EU said the withdrawal agreement is no longer up for renegotiation, and I believe that is well understood.
“We have always said should the UK change its red lines, we would be prepared to amend the political declaration on the future relationship.
“There is very little time left and we have to prepare ourselves for all outcomes.”
