Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the EU on technical alternatives to a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Government has now issued a new proposal which means we can leave on 31 October without disruption and in a friendly way. It is a fair and reasonable compromise for all sides that respects the referendum. It contains a special arrangement for Northern Ireland that protects the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and the peace process, and ensures democratic consent for the arrangement.

There have been ongoing discussions with the European Union at Prime Ministerial, Ministerial and Sherpa level in recent weeks and these will continue.