According to sources close to the situation, EU negotiators are now receptive to relying on a technological solution for minimizing customs checks between Ireland and NI - at least in part because they hope to keep PM May's government in power long enough to finalize a Brexit deal this winter.

Michel Barnier is said to be overseeing the preparation of a document outlining the proposed customs protocol, to be circulated to EU governments in October.

Adoption of the technology proposal on a temporary basis could be an acceptable compromise. It wouldn't be the first time a temporary solution has gone long-term in the EU: Norway has been a "temporary" member of the European Free Trade Association since 1994.

I'm sure the tourism industries of both Ireland and NI will be overjoyed to see any solution put into place that avoids return to a guarded frontier between their countries.