Brexit: Time running out for UK plans says Varadkar

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said time is running short for the UK to put forward written proposals

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is not optimistic the UK will have written proposals ready next week to be put to the crucial EU summit in mid October.

Speaking in LA, he said time is running short for UK diplomats to put forward workable and legally binding plans to address the Irish border question.

Earlier, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney said significant gaps" remain between the UK and EU.

He was speaking after meeting EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels.

Mr Coveney said that Mr Barnier and his team are "available 24/7 to negotiate to try and get a deal done".

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Asked about the possibility of the UK being granted an extension to the 31 October Brexit deadline, he said the focus now is on "trying to get a deal, quite frankly".

Simon Coveney was speaking after meeting the EU's Michel Barnier

"From an Irish perspective, we of course think that an extension is preferable to a no-deal. But I think there would have to be good reason behind that to ask for an extension."

Mr Coveney added: "Until there is a serious proposal, which can be the basis of negotiations, then the gaps which are wide at the moment will remain."

He said "time is running out" and that "the onus is on the British prime minister and his team" to put "serious proposals on the table".

'Moment of truth'

Meanwhile, UK Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has said the "moment of truth" was approaching.

Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay said the "moment of truth" is approaching

Mr Barclay also held talks with Mr Barnier on Friday, telling the BBC afterwards: "I think there is still a long way to go. I think we are coming to the moment of truth in these negotiations.

"We are committed to securing a deal. The prime minister has made clear he wants a deal, but there has to be political will on both sides and that's what we are exploring."

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has said that he and Mr Barnier are doing all they can to get a Brexit deal, and if they fail it would be Britain's responsibility.

In an interview with German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine, Mr Juncker said he and Mr Barnier were working intensively for a deal, because it would be a catastrophe for Britain and Europe if Britain left the EU without an organised withdrawal process.

"Our chief negotiator Michel Barnier and I are doing everything possible to get an agreement."

"But if we don't succeed in the end, the responsibility would lie exclusively on the British side," Mr Juncker said.