Ireland

Dublin parties' draft programme for government include plans for no Brexit trade deal

Fianna Fail Leader Michaél Martin would be taoiseach until December 2022 under the coalition plan
Fianna Fail Leader Michaél Martin would be taoiseach until December 2022 under the coalition plan Fianna Fail Leader Michaél Martin would be taoiseach until December 2022 under the coalition plan

A new Irish government will prepare an alternative Brexit strategy in the event there is no trade deal between the UK and EU.

Boris Johnson's government has ruled out seeking an extension to the one-year transition which allows continued access to the single market while trade talks take place.

But with just six months left to negotiate the complex deal, failure to secure agreement on future arrangements would have a massive economic impact on Ireland north and south.

The looming deadline has not gone unnoticed in the draft programme for government agreed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.

It states that the coalition would "work to ensure that Ireland is Brexit-ready for all possible outcomes".

"In the absence of a trade deal, Brexit may be a significant further strain on businesses already struggling with the challenges brought by Covid-19".

The parties state that they will "work with all sectors to ensure they are prepared for all possible outcomes".

They said the new government will:

:: "Prioritise supports for vulnerable sectors in the context of no trade deal.

:: "Continue to ensure systems at Dublin and Rosslare Ports and at Dublin Airport are Brexit-ready and adapted to take account of Covid-19.

:: "Work to ensure the essential UK landbridge remains a viable and efficient route to market for Irish goods.

:: "Constantly engage with stakeholders".

The Northern Ireland Executive also held a meeting yesterday to discuss Brexit planning.

The assembly has until now been consumed with crisis planning amid the Covid pandemic but with the transition deadline looming, the five-party executive discussed potential scenarios.

British prime minister Boris Johnston insisted yesterday there is still a "very good" chance of securing a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, as both sides agreed "new momentum" was needed to get negotiations back on track.

However, European Council chief Charles Michel said the EU would not be pressured into buying a "pig in a poke" and insisted Brussels would stand by its demands for the UK to agree to a "level playing field" to ensure fair competition.