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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that negotiations between the EU and the UK remain challenging, especially in the area of so-called level playing field.
Speaking after a two-day summit in Brussels, he said Ireland’s preference would be for a comprehensive free trade agreement that would do “the least damage to our economy.”
Mr Martin said that in a presentation to EU leaders, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had said that considerable difficulties remained, especially around a level playing field.
This measure seeks to commit both parties to follow the same standards in the production of goods so as not to give a competitive advantage to either party.
Mr Martin said: “This will be a challenging negotiation. A level playing field remains an area of considerable concern. There should be a level playing field in terms of access to the single market.”
“It remains an issue where we will have to make progress. I think that while there is a frame of mind to engage, it makes sense that no one is underestimating the task ahead of us in trying to tackle these very difficult issues.”
Earlier, President von der Leyen said talks should intensify, but she did not like to use the term “tunnel”, the negotiating space that has preceded a final agreement in recent EU-UK negotiations.
She told reporters after the summit: “We have made progress in many, many different fields but of course the most difficult ones are still wide open.”
“But in general, where there is a will, there is a way, so I think we should step up the negotiations because it is worth working hard on it.”
“We are running out of time, about 100 days to the end of the year, so it is worth stepping up now.”
President von der Leyen will speak by phone with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tomorrow. The Taoiseach said it would be a balancing conversation.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson urged the European Union to be “common sense”, insisting that a post-Brexit trade deal was within reach.
Before his conversations with Ms Von der Leyen, he said that there was “every chance” that an agreement would be reached.
Speaking to Northern Ireland’s BBC, Johnson said the EU had “made a deal with Canada of the kind we want, why shouldn’t they do it with us? We’re so close, we’ve been members for 45 years.” . Everything is there, it just depends on them. “
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Frost complained of a continuing gulf between the two sides in crucial areas such as competition rules and fishing rights.
After the ninth round of talks on the tortuous process broke up in Brussels, with renewed commitments to find a way out of the impasse, it was clearly recognized that time was running out.
JHe warned of “serious and persistent divergences on issues of great importance” to the European Union.
“To reach an agreement, these divergences must necessarily be overcome in the coming weeks,” said Barnier.
Despite indicating that there were signs of agreement in several areas, Mr Frost warned that disagreements on competition and fishing rules may be “impossible” to overcome without the EU giving in.
“I am concerned that there is very little time now to resolve these issues before the October 15 European Council,” he said.
It follows calls by the EU for talks to intensify, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the next few days are essential for a breakthrough.
“As long as the negotiations continue, I am optimistic. I cannot announce a breakthrough as a matter of course,” he added.
On Tuesday, British MPs backed a bill to regulate the UK’s domestic market from January 1, when the UK completes its post-Brexit transition period and leaves the EU single market and customs union.
If Britain does not back down, the infringement procedure could go all the way to the European Court of Justice, which could impose large fines.
Boris Johnson has gone ahead with the legislation, despite concerns in his own party and a warning from Washington that it puts Irish peace at risk.
When asked about her reaction to the law, Merkel said: “This is bitter, I must say.”
AFP of additional reports
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