The Irish Foreign Minister has expressed optimism that the UK and European Union can reach a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol but cautioned there are just weeks to do it. Unionists have opposed the protocol as impeding trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, placing a border in the Irish Sea. He was speaking at a side event on Northern Ireland during the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Athlone on Saturday. Simon Coveney speaks at a side event on Northern Ireland (Damien Storan/PA)“My meetings with the new Secretary of State in Northern Ireland have been honest and I would say productive. “In truth, if we can’t get devolved institutions up and running in Northern Ireland, finding an alternative is not easy,” he said.

Source: The Herald November 19, 2022 16:39 UTC