Ireland avoids economic disaster after reaching latest Brexit trade deal

Ireland has avoided a catastrophic economic disaster after a last-minute trade deal on Brexit was struck in the last hours of Christmas Eve.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin warmly welcomed the successful conclusion of the negotiations, while the opposition parties also warmly welcomed the closing of the agreement.

And the new trade agreement has canceled any fears about the potentially catastrophic consequences for the North-South border.

The last hurdle was fishing and a compromise was finally agreed to waive 25% of EU fishing quotas.

It now paves the way for relatively trouble-free trade between Ireland and the UK for years to come.

Mr Martin said: “I welcome the conclusion of the negotiations between the EU and the UK today.

“I hope that both parties will now approve this result and that the procedures necessary to allow the agreement to enter into force on January 1 run smoothly.

“The Government will now consider the details of the text very carefully.

“From what we have heard today, I think it represents a good compromise and a balanced result.

“It has been more than four years since the UK decided to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.

“The journey since then has been long and difficult.

“I have said it many times, and I will do it again today: although I respect him, I am very sorry for the decision.

“The UK was an important member of the European Union, and Ireland and the UK often worked closely together on many EU issues.

“However, as we approach the end of the Transitional Period, I wish the UK the best in this new chapter in its history.

“The UK will always be a close friend and partner.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar added: “Four years ago when the UK voted to leave, we feared that a ‘no deal’ could result in a hard border between North and South, the end of the Common Travel Zone with Great Britain, which could threaten the Good Friday Agreement, our position in the EU single market, disrupts aviation and transport, and creates quotas and tariffs for our farmers, companies and exporters.

“Years of hard work and diplomacy have protected Ireland from all of that.

“Thank you to our friends in Europe and to our spectacular civil servants in Dublin and Brussels.

“We have the best possible deal after four years of tough negotiations. It is based on the Irish Protocol negotiated at The Wirral, which guarantees the Common Travel Zone and the absence of firm borders in Ireland.

“It is a sad but momentous day.”

And Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “Four and a half years ago, Northern Ireland voted to stay, but despite the wishes of the people, it is now outside the European Union as a result. of a Brexit inspired by the conservatives.

“There will be relief that a trade deal has now been agreed between Britain and the EU and special deals for Ireland encapsulated in the Irish Protocol will be implemented.