‘Terrible failure of the art of government’ if post-Brexit trade deal is not reached, says Taoiseach

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AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN the EU and the UK on the “remaining 3%” of the post-Brexit trade deal should not “be beyond the capacity” of both parties, the Taoiseach has said.

Speaking on BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, Micheál Martin said he expects the trade talks to continue after today.

Today is the deadline agreed between the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in which a firm decision must be made on the future of the negotiations.

Johnson and von der Leyen are due to speak on the phone later today.

The Taoiseach said: “97% of this agreement has been negotiated through judicial security investigation in a wide range of areas, and it seems to me that the remaining 3% should not be beyond the ability of both parties to tend a bridge, and that is why it is so important that the dialogue continues.

I think it would be a terrible failure of the art of government if we were not in a position to agree on the line.

Martin said it was in both parties’ interest to make a “great effort” during the next few hours to avoid a no-deal scenario.

“Given the ability of both parties to conclude on the Northern Ireland Protocol, this shows that there is also the ability for both parties to reach an agreement on the substantive issues around a level playing field and fisheries.” , said.

Trade talks remain stalled on issues of fishing rights and the so-called level playing field “ratchet” that would bind the UK to future EU rules.

British government sources warned that the offer on the EU table remains “unacceptable” for the UK.

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The Taoiseach said: “The level playing field is one that has complicated conversations from the beginning. In my opinion, with a degree of creativity, a resolution can be found in that area. “

Martin said the UK and European economies are “interdependent” and it is important that the relationship remains “strong.”

Whatever bit of energy is left, we must continue to focus on negotiating our way to an agreement.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also spoke on Marr’s show, saying he “could never say never” when asked if trade talks between the UK and the EU could continue today.

Additional reports from the Press Association



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