European Movement Ireland honours the EU’s lead Brexit negotiator for his understanding, diplomacy and persistence 20th January, 2021 Michel Barnier, the EU’s lead negotiator on Brexit: ‘He and his team faced a reality none of us wanted and made the best of it.’ Picture: Rollingnews.ie Each year, European Movement Ireland honours an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the relationship between Ireland and the European Union. Past winners include Peter Sutherland, John Hume and Catherine Day as well as former taoisigh and the Irish Defence Forces. Our recipient this year is Michel Barnier, the EU’s lead negotiator throughout the Brexit negotiations.