The EU has published its plan to effectively keep Northern Ireland in the single market and customs union after Brexit, in a 120-page draft withdrawal agreement. “A common regulatory area comprising the Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland is hereby established,” the draft says. The draft agreement has been agreed among the remaining 27 EU members and is still subject to negotiation with the UK. Mr Barnier said discussions on all three options could continue in parallel, and this was also reflected in the draft text published Wednesday, which contained a protocol on the third option. The text adds: “A common regulatory area comprising the Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland is hereby established.

Source: The Irish Times February 28, 2018 11:49 UTC