The Irish government hopes that a number of Brexit deals can be agreed during Ireland’s six-month tenure of the European Council presidency.
Negotiators for the EU and UK are currently trying to finalise three deals: A veterinary agreement which would allow animal products to travel between Britain and the EU without checks; an agreement on emissions and electricity trading; and a so-called “Youth Experience” exchange programme.
“There are a number of items on the table that are very, very positive,” said Ireland’s Europe Minister, Thomas Byrne TD, this morning.
“We want to see that work moving forward and we would hope to see a conclusion on that. We would hope in July, but there’s a lot of work to do on that,” he said.
Ireland takes over the rotating presidency of the European Council on the 1st July.
He said the three deals had been “broadly agreed. Let’s get that over the line.”
The agreements would have “huge benefits for the people of Great Britain and have huge benefits to the people of Ireland and the people of Europe,” Thomas Byrne said.
The veterinary agreement would mean any remaining checks in the Irish sea on plant and animal products would no longer be necessary.
In return for abolishing post-Brexit checks, the UK would have to sign up to follow EU future animal health laws.
That’s controversial in the UK, but Minister Byrne believes once the deals are agreed, there will be no going backwards.
“I’m not sure that any government would want to undo them,” he said.
The EU’s negotiator and Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, is expected to update ministers on the state of negotiations this lunchtime.