Phil Hogan has said he believes that a Brexit deal will be struck despite ongoing “political gamesmanship”.
The former EU Trade Commissioner was speaking at the MacGill School, following his resignation over his attendance at the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society dinner labelled “Golfgate”.
Talks on a future trade deal between the EU and UK are continuing in London today, with both sides remaining divided issues including fisheries and the governing of a deal.
Downing Street has said that "significant gaps" remain between negotiators.
“The outlook, if you were to look at the media presentation of these issues from a London perspective and coming from London and the UK government, you would think that there’s no chance of agreement at all,” Mr Hogan said.
We have some political gamesmanship ongoing, but in my view, and I have always felt this, I believe that there will be a deal.
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“We have some political gamesmanship ongoing, but in my view, and I have always felt this, I believe that there will be a deal.”
He warned that “we don’t have a hell of a lot of time” as the transition period for the UK to leave the EU ends on December 31st.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has warned today that even with a deal, there will be major disruptions for businesses.
He said that tariffs and quotas could yet be imposed on New Year's Day.
“You’ve got to also focus on this second challenge because it’s coming whether we like it or not,” he said of the impact of Brexit coupled with that of Covid-19.
“At the end of this year there’s going to be no more extensions, no more time – the trading environment is going to change quite fundamentally.”
