Tánaiste Visits London To Discuss Brexit Negotiations

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney is visiting London to discuss Brexit negotiations today, 04 July.

He will meet with members of the British Government and members of other parties.

Speaking on Brexit ahead of the visit, the Tánaiste said: "Everything, including all elements of the Withdrawal Agreement and the framework for the future relationship, needs to be wrapped up by October. 
What is needed now is for the negotiations to be intensified. Lack of progress on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the backstop, in recent rounds of negotiations is very disappointing. It is important that the UK delivers on the clear commitments and guarantees it provided in December and again in March. The time for postponing decisions has passed. I will be interested in hearing from key members of the British Government on how the UK intends to move the negotiations forward in the coming weeks.

He put a large focus on dealing with government issues in Northern Ireland, adding: "I'm also looking forward to meeting with Secretary of State Karen Bradley, as we continue to discuss how both Governments can work together to end the current impasse and to secure the formation of a new power sharing Executive, a fully functioning Northern Ireland Assembly and the resumption of meetings of the North South Ministerial Council."

(CM)