‘Lose, lose, lose’: Ireland reveals emergency laws in case of no-deal Brexit

Ireland has revealed a package of emergency laws in case of a no-deal Brexit, warning that if no agreement is reached it would result in a "lose, lose, lose" for the UK, the European Union and Ireland. 

Dublin plans to push the new laws through parliament within the next few weeks amid the increasing threat of damage to the Irish economy in the wake of a no-deal Brexit. 

The minority government led by Leo Varadkar has pushed back against Theresa May's demands to re-enter negotiations over the controversial "backstop" Irish border policy, which remains the pivotal cause of the deadlock in discussions. 

Prime Minister May has argued that legally binding changes are needed in order to gain support from the House of Commons but the EU and Dublin are only willing to accept a non-binding agreement that it is a temporary measure.

“A disorderly Brexit will be a lose, lose, lose for the UK, for Europe and for Ireland," Irish deputy premier, Simon Coveney said. "We cannot offset all the damage it will do, but we are doing everything we can.

"A no deal Brexit will be a major shock for the Irish economy and the most important contingency we have is remaining a member of the EU with all of the security and support that will bring.”

The bill is set to include 15 separate sets of measures that would allow Dublin to rescue companies in financial difficulties and maintain financial market settlements, insurance contracts and "all island" electricity supplies over the Northern Ireland border.

The bill does not include information on what will happen with regards to the border if talks fail, but Varadkar has insisted there are no plans to reinstate checks at the Northern Ireland border that were removed in the 1998 Good Friday peace pact.