Ireland's Coveney: Brexit deal still possible but time running out #BrexitReality

A deal between the European Union and Britain on their future relationship is still possible before the end of this year but time is running out, Ireland’s foreign minister, Simon Coveney, said on Tuesday.

EU diplomats said leaders at a summit starting on Thursday would call on EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to ensure that "level playing field" guarantees for European businesses competing with British companies are backed by the right for Brussels to take rapid retaliatory action if Britain breaches its commitments, the FT reported on Monday.
#EuropeanParliament #UnitedKingdom #VoteBrexit #BREXITDeal #NoDeal

“The Brexit journey continues for a little bit longer yet,” Coveney said on the sidelines of an EU ministerial meeting in Luxembourg.

“All of us need to ensure that we do everything we possibly can to make sure that we make a deal possible in the next few weeks because we are running out of time. And once we get to the end of this month then I think we really are running out of time to ratify any deal that may be struck.”

So we had a very good General Affairs Meeting today, in relation to Brexit. Both Maroš Sefčovič and Michel Barnier gave quite a detailed update to the General Affairs Council on the state of play. A number of things are clear. First of all, there are a number of weeks left in this negotiation, so when the European Council meets at the end of this week, there will be a detailed update on where we are in these negotiations but certainly I don't see that there will be any major breakthrough this week. The issues that remain outstanding in terms of the negotiation I think are clear. On the future relationship, there needs to be a final agreement on fair competition, effectively, through a level playing field and the Government's model that can ensure the disputes in the future get resolved quickly and independently in the way that both sides can agree. And then there are many issues, in relation to fishing, which are still outstanding. I think there has been some progress on the level playing field issues but unfortunately on fishing there has been literally no progress.

The message was very clear though for member states today, we value fishermen, we value their contribution across the EU, and certainly EU fishermen are not going to be sold out, in an effort to get an agreement on a future relationship with the UK on trade. I think that it is very clear from today, but of course both sides have legitimate concerns in this area.

From an Irish perspective, I also had a good opportunity to have a bilateral discussion with Michel Barnier, and also with Maroš Sefčovič, again a significant focus on fishing, and how that issue gets resolved in a way that is fair, and protects the EU and our Irish fishing interests.

We also had with Maros Sefčovič a big focus on the protocole on Northern Ireland and Ireland, in a way that ensures that Northern Ireland economy can continue to function, and that there is an implementation of the protocole in the way that is fully consisted with what was agreed this time last year in the withdrawal agreement, which now of course is international law. But also, to try to work out ways in which that implementation can work for both sides, for people in Northern Ireland, for people in Great Britain, and people living on the island of Ireland as a whole. So we went through a whole range of different issues that are still outstanding and still under discussion and negotiation but I think it is fair to say that there is progress been made on protocole and many of the genuine concerns that both sides have, in terms of the complexity of full implementation of what's been agreed.

So the Brexit journey continues for a little bit longer yet. All of us need to ensure that we do everything we possibly can to make sure that we make a deal possible in the next few weeks because we are running out of time. And once we get to the end of this month, then I think we really are running out of time to ratify any deal that may be struck or certainly I hope can be struck.

If we do manage to negotiate a deal on a future relationship agreement that involves many different areas, I think, before that deal can be ratified or finalized, the domestic legislation that the British Government has introduced, effectively threatening to break the withdrawal agreement and the Northern Ireland protocole, well that legislation will need to be removed in order for any final deal to be ratified. And that point was made very clearly by a number of speakers today.

So I think a deal is very much still possible but there is a lot of work to do for the two negotiation teams. And from an EU perspective, unity is strength and today again we have very strong unity on all of the key issues that the EU is trying to progress to make sure we have a deal on both sides.

[johntaylor]

Brexit deal still achievable if the UK is willing to cave in and sell its soul to the EU! Walk away Boris no other country is being hindered in this way

[grahamellis]

Why are they afraid of competition so much if the European union is so perfect.

[terencefirth]

The UK fishermen are not going to be sold out. The EU can go and fish ROI waters.

[keithspencer]

The clock is ticking. No deal, WTO and full sovereignty with NO EU CONTROL!!! 😂😂😂🇬🇧

[Frank]

Brexit means Britain's Exit, we won't have to ask permission or be controlled by the EU....simples

[judoroy]

Fair deal for both sides, what a load of bollocks, see if he is saying the same When all EU fishing fleet head to Ireland and desimate Ireland’s fishing grounds . It’s going to happen ? Unfortunate for them that they choose to live on credit since joining The EU and are unable to leave

[tommysmith]

Eu don’t understand what fair means a no deal would be desasterous for Ireland. When it happens they have brought on themselves

[williamshade]

We don't need a deal especially with Ireland they need us more than we need them

[photoisca]

Paddy still thinks the E.U sets the rules. I don't suppose Barmy Barny will even notice he's talking to himself.

[annoyingbstard]

There seems an endless supply of European men in suits all crying wolf.

[nicolahamilton]

No it’s not possible...get used to it and stop winging! And get off this EU sinking ship and save yourselves!

[drhutter]

we brits don't want your deal.

just look at the comments below.

[lsakrs]

When will the EU muppets realise we do not want a deal on their terms .WTO terms will suit us fine .No more negotiations after this week Boris .Goodbye and good riddance EU .

[michaelfitzpatrick]

Funny hearing Simon asking for fairness etc... Is Ireland changing its corporation tax ? WTO baby.

[PeterSmall-frwk]

No more talks time to move on WTO all the way

[davidmurphy]

"Weeks not days" from Dublin, so much for London's deadline of 15 October or else it's the no deal "good outcome". Although I believe Frost conceded that point some days back. Perhaps the Chancellor is pushing back against Cummins.

Also, Coveney seemed out of breath... Maybe there were stairs. Doubt there was a row.

[antonysteel]

Garbage - UK should walk away

Ban EU fish boats from UK waters

Cap EU imports to UK at 100% of UK exports to EU on a country by country basis

The UK should also ban EU lorries from using the UK as a land bridge between EU and Eire

[Detector]

Time for a no deal ++= nodeal with economic sanctions

[stephenharris]

Just make sure that, after Dec 31st, you respect UNCLOS.

[alanpreston]

So you now say the treatment of the UK fishing industry under the EU was fair. Well lets see you feel the pain that our fishermen felt when you are banned from british waters.