Theresa May calls for ‘practical solution’ for Irish-UK border

The UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May has said she is seeking a “practical solution” to issues around the border between Ireland and the UK.

Ms May yesterday met with Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Today, Taoiseach Enda Kenny is travelling to London to meet with her and discuss issues including the future of the Common Travel Area.

At a press conference after yesterday’s meeting, Ms May said the Northern Ireland Executive would be “involved in our discussions” as the UK government sets out its position on Brexit.

She said: “I recognise the particular circumstances in Northern Ireland because of course it has a land border with a country that will be remaining in the EU.

“We’ve had constructive talks about the will that we all have to find a way through this in the best interest of Northern Ireland and the best interest of the UK as a whole.”

When pressed further, she said: “Nobody wants to return to the borders of the past – what we do want to do is to find a way through this that is going to work and deliver a practical solution for everybody, as part of the work we’re doing to ensure that we make a success of the UK leaving the EU and that we come out of this with a deal in the interest of the whole of the UK.”