Commenting on Simon Coveney’s statement that Brexit talks cannot move forward until the Irish border problem is overcome, Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson, said:

“Following the Tory Brexit U-turn on the divorce bill and (disputed) indications that a deal has been reached on citizens’ rights, the Ireland – Northern Ireland border is now the major obstacle this government faces

“The government has failed to convince anyone that a frictionless border solution exists.  And they have ruled out the obvious answer which is remaining in the Single Market and Customs Union.

“Their ideological obsession with a hard Brexit is putting twenty years of peace at risk. 

“Only the Lib Dems are offering a chance to exit from Brexit and to maintain the peaceful status quo that currently exists in Northern Ireland.”