![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/coveney-1.png\")
The T\u00e1naiste has said that the coronavirus and ongoing Brexit negotiations add further urgency to forming a government in Ireland.<\/p>\nThe T\u00e1naiste has said that the coronavirus and ongoing Brexit negotiations add further urgency to forming a government in Ireland.<\/p>\n
Simon Coveney was speaking in Brussels ahead of the special EU Council summit.<\/p>\n
Mr Coveney warned Brexit will dominate Irish politics for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it will because the future relationship with the UK is something that is going to fundamentally impact on the health of the Irish economy, its growth rates and how goods come and go in and out of our markets which is based on exports with the rest of the EU, but also with the rest of the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, of course if we could have a government in place following on from the general election recognizing the mandates that all parties have that would be great, but I\u2019m afraid it\u2019s not as simple as that, if it was we would making more progress on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s going to take some more time to deal with the new realities of Irish politics which is that the political landscape is quite fractured, and certainly Fine Gael will try to be be constructive in terms of how we move forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn many ways the meetings that Helen (McEntee) and I are having today are a reminder of why it\u2019s important for a new government to be formed soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
His comments come ahead of a meeting between the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il later on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
It is the first time Leo Varadkar and Miche\u00e1l Martin will hold talks since the general election.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Mr Varadkar described the meeting as \u201cexploratory discussions\u201d, adding that his party is still preparing to go into opposition.<\/p>\n
The Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has also scheduled talks with Sinn F\u00e9in following on from discussions with the party on Monday.<\/p>\n