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Restrictions on travelers entering Ireland are likely to remain in place until the middle of next year, the Taoiseach has said.<\/p>\nRestrictions on travelers entering Ireland are likely to remain in place until the middle of next year, the Taoiseach has said.<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin said the need for people to self-isolate on their arrival in the Republic of Ireland would most likely continue until well into next year and could be dependent on a \u201cvaccine or better therapeutics\u201d.<\/p>\n
People who travel to Ireland from Britain and other countries, with the exception of Cyprus, Finland, Latvia and Liechtenstein, must agree to self-isolate for two weeks on their arrival.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach recognized the need to quarantine was \u201cproblematic\u201d, especially for members of the Irish community living in Britain, but he said the measures were necessary to limit the spread of Covid-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very difficult,\u201d Mr. Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is really stressful and difficult for families who have not met their loved ones for quite some time because of Covid-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge I think is going to continue for some time. If I\u2019m honest I believe we have to look to the middle of next year to see if any respite is on the way in the form of a vaccine or better therapeutics and that we learn to live with and deal with the virus more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Martin made the comments during an interview with the i newspaper broadcast at the Liberal Democrats\u2019 online party conference on Monday.<\/p>\n
Asked whether a vaccine or therapeutics would be the only way of reducing the current restrictions on travel between the UK and Ireland, Mr. Martin said Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove were working together to see if the Governments could provide mechanisms and better supports to people travelling within the Common Travel Area.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain it\u2019s problematic,\u201d Mr. Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe public health personnel are not convinced yet about testing at airports.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cCaution is still the order of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Taoiseach told the conference that he was \u201cnot optimistic\u201d that the UK would strike a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union.<\/p>\n
He said the UK Government\u2019s controversial Internal Market Bill had \u201ceroded trust\u201d between the two sides and Europe was no longer confident that Britain\u2019s word can be relied upon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Internal Market Bill has eroded trust,\u201d Mr Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has damaged, you know, the credibility of agreements that have been entered into, namely the Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Martin said the Irish Government was operating on the basis there would be a no-deal Brexit because of a lack of optimism about a trade deal being struck.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not that optimistic, if I\u2019m honest. The (Irish) Government is preparing its Budget in three weeks\u2019 time on the basis that there will be a no-deal Brexit,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the basis upon which we\u2019re preparing our Budget and we\u2019re warning and alerting businesses to that terrible reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the Taoiseach said there was \u201cstill potential\u201d for a deal to be struck.<\/p>\n
He said that the Irish Government was \u201cvery keen\u201d to ensure that ultimately there would be a \u201csensible agreement\u201d made between the UK and the European Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cA deal is the sane and sensible thing to do,\u201d Mr. Martin said.<\/p>\n
But he warned: \u201cIt will take serious engagement and time is running out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ninth round of trade deal negotiations between the UK and EU will begin on Tuesday in Brussels.<\/p>\n
There are fewer than 100 days until the transition period, in which the UK remains in the single market and continues to follow EU law, ends on December 31.<\/p>\n