Leo Varadkar last night faced down damning criticism from the Opposition over the Government’s poor preparations for Brexit.
Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin slammed the Taoiseach for leaving it all so dangerously late to introduce contingency plans for the real risk of a hard border.
He said he had been promised weeks ago details on how ready we are for the UK crashing out of the EU but has received nothing.
Mr Martin told the Dail yesterday: “Such contingency planning should be completed by now.
“When will your department eventually provide details of the Brexit preparedness in your department for a hard border – which she promised to me over three weeks ago?”
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The Taoiseach responded: “I don’t know for sure what will happen in such a hypothetical scenario but what I can say is we have made no preparations for a hard border, for any infrastructure.” He insisted any discussions are “rough and preliminary,” and “hypothetical,” insisting he is concerned he is being misrepresented for “refusing to confirm the leader of the Opposition and his conspiracy theories.”
He added: “You are mishearing me, that’s very worrying you’re not hearing what I’m saying.”
Mr Varadkar’s responses came against the backdrop of another tumultuous day at Westminster.
With the hands ticking towards five to midnight on the Brexit clock, there was a dramatic turn of events when arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg indicated he may go against months of opposition to the Brexit deal and back Theresa May at the last minute.
The British PM then upped the stakes herself when it emerged last night she will be having meetings with many who have been her political enemies within her own party up to now. These will include the infamous 1922 Club of rebels today and the ironically-named anti-EU European Research Group.
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The prospect of MPs voting in support of a soft Brexit or second referendum appears to be winning some Tory Eurosceptics round to reluctantly backing her deal but there has been widespread speculation others might demand Mrs May sets out the timetable for her departure as the price for their support.
Meanwhile, Mrs May was braced for further Commons revolts today with Cabinet ministers demanding free votes on the various options set to be presented and Eurosceptics poised to reject the domestic legislation delaying the date of the UK’s exit from the EU.
The Government defeat on Monday night saw three ministers resign as 30 Tories rebelled to back Sir Oliver Letwin’s amendment to give MPs control of the Commons agenda in order to seek a Brexit plan which can command a majority.
But Eurosceptics who have so far opposed the British PM’s Withdrawal Agreement signalled they could now back it, with Mr Rees-Mogg saying “the choice seems to be Mrs May’s deal or no Brexit”.
He added: “I have always thought no-deal is better than Mrs May’s deal but Mrs May’s deal is better than not leaving at all.”
The Etonian said Brexit may now be a “process rather than an event” and it could take time to fully break away from Brussels.
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Former whip Michael Fabricant said he had reached the same “dreadful conclusion” on Mrs May’s deal and a new PM would be able to negotiate a “better and more distanced relationship” with the EU after Brexit.
After a marathon Cabinet meeting lasting more than two hours, Mrs May’s official spokesman said: “If we are able to hold and win a vote this week, we would then be able to leave the EU in less than two months’ time with a deal, which the Prime Minister firmly believes is what the public wants.”
It was “extremely unlikely” the deal would return today but it would need to be held this week in order to guarantee meeting the terms set by the EU for the extension of Article 50 to the new Brexit day on May 22.
This is likely to take place tomorrow as the British Parliament is not scheduled to sit on Friday.
