THE British government is being urged to get back to talks with the EU to give certainty to businesses.
The call was made as an EU offer of minimum and "invisible" checks at the Irish Sea border was welcomed.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the EU's chief Brexit negotiator demonstrated his "desire to be solution-driven" when it comes to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
He was responding to Maros Sefcovic's suggestion that physical checks on goods travelling across the Irish Sea could be cut to a "couple of lorries a day".
Mr Sefcovic told the Financial Times that Brussels stands ready to work in an "open and constructive" way with Britain following a statement from new Prime Minister Liz Truss on the prospect of a negotiated settlement on the protocol.
He argued that the trade border would be "invisible" under the EU's plans, with goods processed "remotely" while making their way to Northern Ireland, as long as the UK provides real-time data on their movements.
"What Maros Sefcovic is demonstrating is his flexibility, his desire to be solution-driven, and what you're witnessing this morning is further solutions, proposed ideas around resolving the protocol issue," Mr Martin said.
"I spoke with the British PM late last week. It was a preliminary discussion. We will meet again on these issues."
British Prime Minister Liz Truss said her preference is for a negotiated solution to the dispute. But she said such a resolution would have to deliver "all of the things we set out" in the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament.
Last night, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane called on the British government to enter in talks in good faith with the EU.
"Maros Sefcovic has offered solutions to address Brexit-related issues and ensure local people and businesses have certainty by reducing the number of checks at ports," Mr Finucane said.
"The protocol is helping our businesses to create jobs and attract investment. It needs to be built upon, not undermined. We need a change of tack from this new British government. They must demonstrate that they will respect international law, honour agreements made and stop giving cover to the DUP’s cruel block on an executive during a cost-of-living emergency.
"After seven months of refusing to engage and solo runs in breach of international law it is time for the British government to get back to the table and enter in talks in good faith with the EU. Businesses need certainty."
