UK PM Johnson tells Irish leader Brexit deal can be done by Oct. 31
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Monday morning with Ireland's leader and said a Brexit deal can be reached so Britain leaves the European Union by Oct. 31.
Johnson told Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar that he believes a deal on the Irish border question can be secured in time to enable a smooth British departure from the EU by the scheduled Brexit date.
He said a "no-deal" departure from the European Union would represent a "failure of statecraft."
Varadkar also said at a joint appearance before the start of a meeting in Dublin that Britain has not produced any realistic alternatives to the controversial "backstop" agreement reached by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May.
Opposition to the backstop was a key reason why Britain's Parliament rejected May's Brexit deal with the EU on three occasions earlier this year.
The backstop is intended to make sure that no hard border is put up between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
The Irish leader says more negotiations are needed and that the Good Friday peace agreement, which states that no hard border is reimposed on the island of Ireland, must be respected.
Johnson plans to press a rebellious Parliament later Monday to back his plan for an early election, but opposition parties have said they will vote the measure down.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
A new bill that seeks to force Johnson to seek a Brexit delay before the Oct. 31 deadline is set to become law on Monday.
Johnson has said he will not seek a delay.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.