THERE were hopes last night that a Brexit trade deal was imminent with the "final touches" being put to an agreement between Britain and the EU.
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen was said to be in contact with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU leaders in a last push before Christmas.
Negotiations on fisheries remained the sticking point, with all other aspects of the trade deal said to have been signed off by both sides.
They are trying to secure agreement before the current withdrawal transition period ends and damaging tariffs are imposed on December 31.
Diplomats in Brussels were told to be prepared for a possible meeting today to sign off on a deal.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin also said while significant differences remained on fishing rights yesterday, enough progress had been made that agreement was now likely.
He told RTE: "On balance, I think given the progress that has been made that there should be a deal.
"A no deal would be an appalling shock to the economic system on top of Covid-19 which has really hit the respective economies of the UK, Ireland and the EU member states."
