Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said it was a mistake by the European Commission to signal its intention to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol, in response to the row with AstraZeneca over the supply of vaccines.
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The decision by the EU to withdraw its plans to control the export of COVID-19 vaccines into Northern Ireland has been welcomed.
The Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne said the EU should never have triggered a section of the Northern Ireland Protocol, stating that an unnecessary political crisis was caused there yesterday.
It comes after controversy over a row with vaccine maker AstraZeneca amid delays in the delivery of doses to the 27 members of the bloc.
Earlier on Friday, Brussels had triggered Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol that forms part of the Brexit withdrawal deal.
Taoiseach pays tribute to Tommie Gorman on retirement
Updated / Friday, 29 Jan 2021
22:06
Tommie Gorman will leave his role as Northern Editor in the spring
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has paid tribute to RTÉ s Tommie Gorman who is retiring from the organisation after 41 years.
He was interviewed on Friday night s
The Late Late Show and reflected on his time at RTÉ. He told Ryan Tubridy: Driving into this place this evening, it was like when I came here for an interview . . . My mother and father drove me up in 1980, I just love this place. I have had a fantastic time. It has gone by too fast. It has gone by in a flash.
The Taoiseach Micheal Martin is still intending to visit the White House on St Patrick’s Day despite issuing a plea to the public to stop non essential travel.
The news comes after Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill cancelled their trips given the concerns over the Covid-19.
However it seems that the Taoiseach still plans to travel on March 17th as the Minister for Finance told Today FM’s The Last Word, that a visit to the White House to meet Joe Biden would be essential given the economic and political benefits.
Coveney: Many UK companies simply not ready for Brexit realities Supply chain issues remain but are improving
Simon Coveney: We have seen more than a 300% increase in demand for direct ferry routes between Ireland and France.
Wed, 27 Jan, 2021 - 09:18
Alan Healy
Many UK companies were simply not ready for the reality of Brexit and the associated supply chain issues the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said.
A month after the United Kingdom left the European Union a range of issues have emerged with exporters and hauliers experiencing difficulties moving products between jurisdictions and having to comply with new custom and inspection arrangements.