Blair calls for deal to prevent 'disastrous' hard border

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said a deal between Britain and Ireland on the future of the border with Northern Ireland is the best way to limit damage from Brexit.

Addressing a meeting in Wicklow of Europe's centre-right political groups, he claimed that a "hard border" on the island would be a disaster.

"A hard border between the countries would be a disaster and I am sure everyone will and must do all they can to avoid it," he said.

"If the UK and the Republic were able to agree a way forward on the border, then we would have the best chance of limiting the damage. It is in the interests of us all, including our European partners, for this to happen".

He said getting consensus on the border will be crucial in the Brexit negotiations.

"Some disruption is inevitable and indeed is already happening. However, it is essential that we do all we possibly can to preserve arrangements which have served both countries well and which command near universal support," Mr Blair added.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier is also attending the European People's Party (EPP) conference in Co Wicklow. That association is the largest group in the European Parliament and includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party.

Mr Barnier will then travel to the Republic's border with Northern Ireland where he will hold discussions at a business park in Co Monaghan.

On Thursday he warned that customs controls are part of the EU's border management.

Mr Blair declined to take questions in public following the meeting.

But in a short statement he said he was anxious that Brexit does not impair the Good Friday Agreement and that the closest possible relationships between the Republic and Northern Ireland are maintained.

Mr Blair said it was vital that the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK was maintained.

"Obviously it's important that though there will be difficult challenges with this that we safeguard that as much as possible and minimise the damage," he said.

Mr Blair said he sees a consensus across the British political system to keep the open border arrangements between the Republic and Northern Ireland "as similar" to now.