Speaking late last month after British lawmakers had backed a move to reopen negotiations with the European Union over the so-called Northern Ireland “backstop,” Prime Minister Theresa May said that it was now “clear that there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this house for leaving the EU with a deal.”

May said she would now seek to deal with concerns – primarily from the right wing of her own Conservative party – over the backstop, an insurance policy in the withdrawal deal to avoid a hard border between the Republic of Ireland (which is in the EU) and Northern Ireland after Brexit.

In a statement issued after the votes, the Irish government said its position on the Brexit deal has not changed. Both it and the EU have repeatedly said since the draft deal was published in November, that it cannot be amended. The statement from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s office said, “The withdrawal agreement is not open for re-negotiation. We have consistently said that we want the closest possible future relationship between the EU and the UK. A change in the UK red lines could lead to a change in the political declaration on the framework for the future relationship, and a better overall outcome.”

The Irish government also said it will continue its preparations for a no-deal scenario. Earlier this month it said it was implementing its plans for a no-deal Brexit and would be prioritizing Brexit legislation through Dáil Éireann (Irish parliament) in the form of an “omnibus bill.”

Said May, “There is limited appetite for such a change in the EU and negotiating it will not be easy,” a statement that triggered a round of jeers from the House of Commons. “But in contrast to a fortnight ago, this House has made clear what it needs to agree a deal.”

RTE reported that day that while decisions on Brexit and Ireland, north and south, were being made in Westminster that will impact Ireland and the Irish people, North and South, personal relations between the British and Irish Governments remain strong, according to the Irish Tánaiste, Simon Coveney, speaking to questions in the Dáil.

Coveney said that new relationship structures post-Brexit between Britain and Ireland will be confirmed at the next meeting of the British Irish Inter-governmental conference.

Earlier, the Cabinet had discussed the economic impact of a no-deal Brexit after Minister for Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe brought a document to Government this morning that gives his Department’s latest analysis, which suggest that the economy could be 4.25 percent smaller in hard Brexit scenario.

Speaking to RTE from London, Sinn Fein’s David Cullinane said: “If there is a hard border, that will come about because of chaos in Westminster, not because of anything Irish politicians have done. It is absolute nonsense. We’ve had two years of negotiations between the British government and the EU which resulted in basic protections for Ireland which are in the protocol known as the backstop. They cannot be changed, they cannot be nuanced, they cannot be renegotiated. Theresa May cannot tear up an agreement, which has been painfully negotiated over two years, chasing some phantom agreement which doesn’t exist.”

Cullinane added, “Politicians in Westminster need to understand that the days of politicians in Britain pushing around Ireland, and threatening the Irish people that if they don’t accept any changes to the backstop then there will be a hard border, have to be gone. We have negotiated in good faith with the British government. We have achieved collectively between opposition and Government a backstop to prevent a hardening of the border and to protect the Good Friday Agreement.

“As far as we’re concerned that can’t be changed nuanced or reopened to satisfy hard Brexiteers in Britain or the hard right in the Tory party,” he told RTE.