British Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has sought to downplay hard border fears for Ireland before failing to guarantee trade barriers will not exist. He added: "With regards the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, this Bill supports the commitment made in December 2017 to avoid a hard land border. "The Irish government of course is perfectly able, as any other government is, to put barriers in the way of trade. We won't create a regime that effects those travelling into the Republic of Ireland, through the Republic of Ireland to the United Kingdom. Mr Grayling added he is entirely confident a sensible place will be reached between the two parties by the end of the negotiations.

Source: Evening echo May 14, 2018 20:37 UTC