The UK is moving closer to the objectives of the original Northern Ireland-only backstop, RTE News understands.
It's also understood that the EU now believes London is prepared to accept a simple majority that would register consent for Northern Ireland to opt out of the new arrangements enshrined in a revised Withdrawal Agreement.

It’s unclear if this would be a majority vote via the Stormont Assembly or even through a referendum.

The original backstop commits the UK and EU to protecting the all-Ireland economy, avoiding a hard border and related checks and controls, preserving North-South cooperation, and protecting the EU’s single market.
It foresaw Northern Ireland remaining part of the EU’s customs union if another solution to avoiding a hard border could not be found.
An interesting weekend ahead.....