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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that there could well be a Brexit deal concluded this weekend.
Speaking at a meeting of his parliamentary party, Martin said the Brexit process is at a “critical point” and a deal could emerge by the end of the week.
These private comments are considered so important as the EU and the UK continue their deliberations in an attempt to avoid a Brexit no-trade deal on January 1.
At the Fine Gael meeting, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that we are reaching a “crucial period” in relation to the Brexit negotiations and that we would need a trade deal “very soon”.
He said everything is being kept very tight, which he said is a good sign.
Sean Kelly MEP warned his party that if an agreement is not reached by this Friday, it is very likely that no agreement will be reached.
Earlier in the Dáil, the Taoiseach said Ireland should start preparing for a no-deal Brexit now out of “prudence.”
Speaking ahead of next week’s European Council meetings, Martin said that while the Brexit talks are ongoing and have reached a key phase, it would be a mistake not to plan as if no agreement could be reached between the Kingdom. Kingdom and the EU before January 1.
“As contacts between the European Union and the United Kingdom continue, one month after the end of the transition, we have now reached a point where prudence requires that we proceed with the preparations of the European Union contingency measures in case there is no agreement, “he said. .
“I look forward to seeing the contingency measures discussed in Brussels over the next week and before the December European Council. Next week, when I attend the European Council meeting, it will be an opportunity to reflect with other European Union leaders on the outcome. of the negotiations and charting our critical next steps, deal or no deal. Our fervent wish, of course, is that the negotiators reach an agreement, a sensible free trade agreement, that is to the benefit of all of us that we represent in terms of jobs, employment and our respective economies. “
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it is “essential that the Irish protocol be respected and applied because it is our insurance policy against a land border,” and said the protocol would protect the Good Friday Agreement.
His party colleague, John Brady, criticized the “illegal, irresponsible and intemperate approach” taken by the UK government throughout the talks, saying that Ireland must claim its right to the € 5bn Brexit contingency fund from The EU.
He said he was “very concerned” by reports that French President Emmanuel Macron planned to reclaim much of the fund to compensate French fishermen.
Labor’s Brendan Howlin said the talks “now really depended on Boris Johnson, his real intent and his impeachment.”
“Do you really want a deal? If the answer to that question is ‘yes’, will you invest the political capital to get it? In the meantime, we must prepare for what’s to come.”
Howlin said connectivity planning, including a new ferry route from Rosslare to Dunkirk, had been done primarily by private companies.
“I understand that it is already very reserved, which contradicts the claim that there was adequate connectivity. Thank God, there are companies that are willing to invest their own money to provide these services and we do not depend on the planning that the authorities carry out.”
Fianna Fáil’s Seán Haughey warned that Brexit could affect Dublin’s M50 motorway.
“Delays in conducting border checks could lead to backing of trucks in the Dublin Port tunnel, which could lead to traffic jams on the M50 and the surrounding road network in Dublin. That must not be allowed to happen.” .
Martin said the next week’s two days of meetings have “a heavy and very busy schedule.”
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