The Labour leader Brendan Howlin has claimed a number of European member states are considering trying to kick the issue of the Irish border down the road. It is the key stumbling block that is preventing Brexit talks between the EU and the UK from progressing. President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has said it would be a catastrophe if there was no deal on Brexit. Brexit talks are stalled until tomorrow's EU Council meeting. He said: "I now hear for the first time that there are actually suggestions being made that the Irish backstop issue should be postponed.

Source: Evening echo October 16, 2018 12:00 UTC