Key to UK's future lies in Dublin, says Tusk
Irish Times
HARRY McGEE Political Correspondent
European Council president Donald Tusk has thrown his support firmly behind Ireland in the Brexit negotiations, saying if the UK's offer on the Border is unacceptable to Ireland it will be unacceptable to the EU'.
Mr Tusk met Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dublin yesterday before Monday's deadline for British prime minister Theresa May to submit her government's final offer for the first phase of the UK divorce talks.
Mr Tusk offered robust support for Ireland's negotiating position. In effect, he said that the EU would give Ireland the right to veto any offer on the Border proposed by Ms May.
'We agreed today that before proposing guidelines on transition and future relations I will consult the Taoiseach on [whether or not] the UK offer is sufficient for the Irish Government. Let me say very clearly if the UK offer is unacceptable for Ireland it will be unacceptable for the EU,' he said.
In an unequivocal message to the British government, he said: 'This is why the key to the UK's future lies, in some ways, in Dublin, at least as long as Brexit negotiations continue.'
Mr Tusk's backing will be seen as giving a major fillip to the Government in the run-up to Monday's deadline and the crucial EU summit that begins on December 14th.

Strong support
Mr Varadkar also spoke to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker who also expressed strong support for the Irish position.
A special Cabinet meeting has been arranged for Monday morning, at which Mr Varadkar and T?naiste and Minister
for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will brief colleagues on progress on the Border issue.
No other contacts have been scheduled between Mr Varadkar and other leaders, including the British prime minister, over the weekend. However, Government officials last night stressed this may change as the situation evolves.
Later on Monday, Ms May will meet Mr Juncker to put the final British offer on the three key phase-one issues: the so-called divorce bill, the rights of EU and British citizens post-Brexit, and Border issues with Ireland.

Jim Carroll