British prime minister Theresa May has signalled her intention to push the European Union to agree to a time limit being placed on the backstop designed to avoid a hard border. Speaking to Northern Ireland business leaders in Belfast on Tuesday, Mrs May said her commitment to avoiding a hard border was “unshakeable”. DUP MP for South Belfast Emma Little-Pengelly, however, welcomed Mrs May’s commitment “that she is returning to Brussels to seek change which can address our objections to the draft withdrawal agreement”. We are absolutely committed to there being no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.”Mrs May made no reference to the strains between Dublin and London created by Brexit. She also said that British home secretary Sajid Javid would carry out a review of issues surrounding difficulties faced by residents of Irish nationality in bringing family members into Northern Ireland.

Source: The Irish Times February 05, 2019 12:44 UTC