The EU's Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said that he will work to avoid a hard Irish border after the UK leaves the European Union. He was speaking at a joint session of the Irish Houses of Parliament in Dublin today. He is the first non-head of state or Prime Minister to make such an address.<br/><br/>Mr Barnier told Irish Parliamentarians he had a duty to speak the truth and that the UK's departure from the EU would have consequences. He also emphasised that customs controls were part of EU border management. <br/><br/>When the UK leaves the EU, it means the Irish border will become a customs frontier.