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The Taoiseach has said \u201cvery significant difficulties\u201d remain in the Brexit trade deal talks between the EU and UK, particularly in relation to fisheries.<\/p>\nThe Taoiseach has said \u201cvery significant difficulties\u201d remain in the Brexit trade deal talks between the EU and UK, particularly in relation to fisheries.<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin\u2019s analysis came as leaders north and south of the Irish border voiced support for a trade deal.<\/p>\n
The issue was discussed at Friday\u2019s virtual meeting of the North South Ministerial Council.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said: \u201cIf we get a substantive future relationship agreement between the UK and the EU that would make life much, much easier for all of us and particularly would give certainty and clarity to businesses and for workers north and south.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach said a deal would present opportunities for everyone on the island of Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbove all, it would give certainty and clarity to businesses on the island of Ireland, for workers on the island of Ireland in terms of their future and without question a deal would reduce very significantly any damage and disruption that would clearly arise from a no deal,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster said: \u201cWe all agree that the best way forward is to have an agreement on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s very important. That is the one point of unanimity on Brexit I would say, but it\u2019s something that I think you can take as very clear.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill added: \u201cIt\u2019s obvious to state that we obviously want to see a deal and I welcome the confirmation and clarity around the (Northern Ireland) protocol that\u2019s been achieved and hopefully that is positive mood music that leads us into an arrangement that finds a positive outcome, because I don\u2019t think anybody wants to see a no-deal scenario.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s deputy premier Leo Varadkar said: \u201cWe\u2019re all agreed that a free trade agreement between the UK and EU is to our advantage and is in the interests of business and workers and farmers and fishermen north and south.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we will be using any influence we have to try to secure that agreement over the next couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar warned port queues at Holyhead were likely due to stockpiling.<\/p>\n
However, the T\u00e1naiste warned that delays were likely on ferry travel between Ireland and Britain regardless of whether a UK\/EU trade deal is struck or not.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s likely that any delays at the ports that are happening at the moment are related to stockpiling, a lot of businesses are going to want to fill their warehouses in advance of there being a deal or no deal as the case may be when it comes to Brexit,\u201d he told a press conference after Friday\u2019s meeting of the North South Ministerial Council.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we did anticipate that there would be some delays, largely related to stockpiling and businesses prudently wanting to fill their warehouses at this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of disruption in the new year, we\u2019re preparing for that. There will be some, of course there will.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s going to be new checks, new controls. Of course there will be delays and people will have to get used to new procedures and some people may not have their documents filled in and, yes, of course there are going to be difficulties in the new year, but we\u2019re doing everything we can to reduce them and mitigate against them.\u201d<\/p>\n