The Taoiseach has welcomed a Brexit trade deal struck between the EU and UK.
Micheál Martin described the accord as “very welcome” following “four long years of negotiations”.
The Taoiseach said he hoped the accord will be approved by both the UK and EU to allow it to be in force by January 1st.
#Brexit deal is very welcome after four long years of negotiations. Thanks to @vonderleyen & @MichelBarnier & team. While we will miss the UK from the European Union, the fact that a deal is now in place means we can focus on how we manage good relationship in the years ahead.
Christmas Eve Brexit deal expected despite last-minute hitch , says Coveney
Boris Johnson has been in close contact with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in recent days as top-level efforts intensified to get a deal over the line.
Thu, 24 Dec, 2020 - 09:00
Vivienne Clarke, Greg Murphy and PA
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said that he believes there will be a Christmas Eve Brexit deal despite a last-minute hitch.
Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Coveney pointed out that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been due to hold a news conference early this morning, but that had not happened.
Brexit: Christmas Eve deal expected despite last-minute hitch over fishing, says Coveney irishtimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from irishtimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Posting on Twitter on Thursday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said that the deal ensures there will be no hard border in Ireland and that the Good Friday Agreement and the Peace Process has been protected.
Coveney added that the single market and Ireland s place in it is safe, that there will be no tarriffs or quotas on trade and that it will mark a fresh start in the relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom.
Deal Done! 4yrs work to protect #Ireland & #EU through #Brexit. Certainty at last:
☑️ No return to hard border
☑️ The GFA & Peace Process is protected
Brexit trade deal agreed between EU and UK after intense talks Negotiations went down to the wire to find an agreement on controversial issue of fishing
Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 08:15 Updated: Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 17:49 Naomi O’Leary and Denis Staunton
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said it is time to leave Brexit behind after a deal was reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Video: EU Commission
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen addresses a media conference after she announced that a Brexit deal had been reached. Photograph: Francisco Seco/AP
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (L) and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen (R) attend a media conference on Brexit negotiations at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on Christmas Eve. Photograph: Francisco Seco/AFP