No formal three-way talks over May's Brexit offer: Irish PM

DUBLIN - There will not be any formal three-way talks among Britain, Ireland and the European Union (EU) to look at British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit offer, said Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Monday.

He told a local TV channel that it was not in Ireland's interests to take part in such talks regarding the withdrawal of Britain from the EU, and that what was needed was for London to produce more detailed proposals.

Varadkar's remarks came after May suggested on Sunday that the Irish prime minister had agreed to form three-way talks to look at the Irish border element of the proposals she outlined in her last Friday's speech on Britain's future relationship with the EU.

"There won't be tripartite or three-way talks," said Varadkar, adding that there will be talks only between the EU 27 and Britain.

"Ireland is part of the EU 27 and we're much stronger by the way as one of 27," he said.

Varadkar said that consultations could take place between the Irish and British governments about issues that are unique to Ireland, but he clearly ruled out the possibility of a negotiation with Britain or a three-way negotiation.

Speaking at a morning program of RTE, the most influential TV channel in Ireland, Varadkar said he gave May's Friday speech on Brexit a guarded welcome. He said more details are needed from the British government regarding its strategy for negotiations on Britain's future ties with the EU.

"What we want is detail, written down in black and white that can be codified into law and that is what is required," he said.