brussels/dublin unite kingdom ireland could reach agreement hours run post-brexit irish land border pave way deal would remove last obstacle open free-trade talk european union carefully choreograph attempt showcase progress brexit talk collapse last minute dec. northern irish party prop prime minister theresa may government veto draft deal already agree ireland since may scramble clinch deal new uk-eu land border ireland acceptable european union dublin lawmakers northern ireland democratic unionist party keep government power may european commission president jean-claude juncker could meet early friday seal border deal european commission chief spokesman say make progress yet fully commission spokesman margaritis schinas say talk continue throughout night early morning meet possible spokesman pm may say brexit discussions ongoing senior irish official say talk move swiftly deal possible hours move quite quickly moment irish official tell british irish chamber commerce event brussels think go work next couple hours uk government close say hours think close late thursday political editor bbc say leadership dup belfast sign border deal mean could yet stumble may continue plan meet juncker european council president donald tusk early friday brussels finalize agreement political editor sky news quote dup source say party would continue work border issue friday move talk trade brexit transition crucial future may premiership keep trade flow world big trade bloc sixth large national economy britain leave march 29 2019. eu move trade talk enough progress three key issue money britain must pay eu right eu citizens britain british citizens eu avoid hard border ireland speculation swirl whether london dublin brussels clinch border deal european council president donald tusk office say would brief reporters 0650 gmt friday depart hungary eu say may effective deadline sunday night want seal deal hope agreement trade talk time eu summit dec. 14-15. side say want avoid return hard border eu member ireland british-ruled province northern ireland might upset peace establish decades violence democratic unionist party dup insist northern ireland part unite kingdom must leave eu way rest unite kingdom clinch deal though may must ensure support dup whose leader tell bluntly monday would support minority government legislation unless irish border draft deal change must also convince divide conservative party deal make acceptable british foreign secretary boris johnson leader brexit campaign insist whole unite kingdom must take back control leave eu whatever way devise get onto body brexit talk get consistent whole unite kingdom take back control laws border cash johnson tell reporters brexit irish border deal possible within hours