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Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said that today was a “historic” day as the Northern Ireland protocol was agreed, but warned that tomorrow is “critical” as two issues remain to be resolved for a Brexit deal. .
The remaining two issues, a level playing field and fisheries, make up just 2% of the overall Brexit deal being negotiated.
Speaking at RTÉ One’s Stellar hourSaid Coveney: “There was a historic agreement today and we shouldn’t let it go. Almost three years have passed since the day I was standing next to Leo Varadkar speaking of an endorsement that provided cast iron assurances that we would not face the prospect of the physical frontier reemerging on the island of Ireland.
“Today, three years later, we have an agreement between the EU and the UK on how we implement what will replace the backstop, but it does very similar work on the protocol in Northern Ireland and Ireland.
“There is no longer any concern that British national law undermines that protocol.
“Now we have agreed how it is going to work and it is not going to be easy but it is very important for the future of the island of Ireland for our place in the EU single market, for the peace process, for the people in particular , living in border counties.
“Now you can rest assured that the border issue is resolved, and it has taken us three years to get there.”
However, he added that getting the Northern Ireland protocol resolved is only “one thing” and that tomorrow is “really significant.”
He said: “Tomorrow is another great day and getting the Northern Ireland protocol resolved is one thing, but we also want to achieve a trade deal and a future relationship agreement to avoid any really significant destruction starting on January 1 next. year”.
When asked when he thought an agreement would be reached, he said he could not give “a definitive date”, but that he believes that tomorrow is “fundamental”, without clarifying whether he believes that an agreement will not be reached if the deadlines are not reached. agreements. morning.
“I don’t think a definitive date can be set, but I think tomorrow is essential,” he said.
“The British Prime Minister has accepted that the negotiating teams have taken this as far as they can and the President of the European Commissioner has said the same.
“So what is happening now is that the two negotiating teams are essentially detailing the issues that have not been resolved and the two most important political leaders involved in this negotiation are effectively meeting tomorrow night with their teams to see if they can overcome those obstacles.
“I have to say that as the week has passed, people have become more pessimistic.”
However, he added: “My job is to be optimistic and, having spoken with the British government tonight, I think they do want to try to find a way to come to terms.”
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