Once more, for those who have so far failed to understand it. The suggested payment of £39bn by the UK is based on the EU negotiating a deal in 'good faith'. The EU have so far not done any negotiation, they have just said "we don't accept that, try again".

Article 50 states: 2. Negotiations under Article 50 TEU will be conducted in transparency and as a single package. In accordance with the principle that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, individual items cannot be settled separately. from Here. The £39bn payment is reliant on a negotiated settlement.

Unless, of course, the EU decide to totally ignore the rules that they themselves have put in place.

That same link also states: there will be no separate negotiations between individual Member States and the United Kingdom on matters pertaining to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union. so there is no option for Leo Varadkar to 'put his oar in'. He can only allow the EU to negotiate on his behalf.

The UK may wish to reassure him on certain items, but are prevented from discussing the outcome with him by the EU.