So, following the Varadkar Johnson meeting, here’s where things are at
1/ Source says meeting was constructive, two leaders in private for most of the three hours, with teams of officials joining near the end
2/ talks concentrated on customs, consent and future relations between Ireland and UK
3/ Key thing is that on the basis of the meeting, Michel Barnier can make a call as to whether the negotiations can now intensify
4/ So a lot hinges on the Barnier/Barclay breakfast tomorrow morning
5/ Irish officials have fully briefed Task Force 50 officials in Barnier’s team. Irish and UK officials will also continue talking.
6/ Source wd not say whether things might reach fruition in time for next week’s summit
7/ But clearly there is a degree of positivity attached to this meeting
8/ a key point is that talks up till now have been seen as technical
9/ If following the Barclay/Barnier meeting tomorrow there is movement the talks shd move into “proper” negotiations
10/ Whether that’s a proper “tunnel” not clear yet
