Taoiseach Leo Varadkar does not believe that Ireland will be forced to block a Brexit deal this week as negotiations on Britain’s departure from the bloc intensify in the coming days. Mr Varadkar will travel to Berlin on Tuesday for a meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of a key EU summit later this week in Brussels, when the terms of Britain’s withdrawal will be discussed. Speaking in New York on the final day of his St Patrick’s Day visit to the United States, Mr Varadkar said it was not a case of Ireland “blocking” a deal. The Border in Northern Ireland is once again expected to become a sticking point in the negotiations later this week. Talking about united Ireland at these times probably isn’t helpful.”Mr Adams was honoured at the annual reception at the mayor’s residence in Manhattan, where Mr Blasio announced St Patrick’s Day would be named “Gerry Adams Day” in New York.

Source: The Irish Times March 19, 2018 01:52 UTC