MEPs in Brussels overwhelmingly endorsed the Brexit withdrawal agreement on Wednesday evening, giving a clear go-ahead to the departure of the UK from the EU on Friday night at midnight Brussels time. “While Northern Ireland may withdraw, people in Northern Ireland will not withdraw the hand of friendship.”Speakers from the British Lib Dems, Scottish National Party and British Labour also said they would vote No. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin had subsequently said that Mr Kelleher would vote for the withdrawal agreement. Although the UK leaves the EU on Friday, it will continue to observe the bloc’s rules until the end of the year. Mr Coveney denied that he had made personal attacks on the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

Source: The Irish Times January 29, 2020 18:16 UTC