British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Ireland's leader that a Brexit deal can be reached so Britain leaves the European Union by October 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.
![Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, meets with Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. Photo / AP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/F45CZFGNQKOJP5NS2J64DPZMJM.jpg?auth=81b8dbadea61a9efa4384cb935dadfd6761922080f9e5c664b5a5dc4ecb8587f&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)