Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard MP has said as hopes of a Brexit deal diminish, the British Government must urgently intensify talks with EU on the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Irish Protocol in order to avert absolute disaster on 1st January. 

The Sinn Féin Brexit Spokesperson said:

“Despite reports in the British media over the weekend that a breakthrough had occurred in the ongoing negotiations, Michel Barnier has dispelled any such notion in this morning’s briefing with EU Diplomats in Brussels. The reality is that there has been no significant movement on any issue. 

“Instead of working to achieve a deal, the British Prime Minister is still chasing a uniquely privileged non-membership access Free Trade Agreement without responsibility or cost – it is simply not on offer, has never been offer, and will never be on offer.

“As we now face the catastrophic collapse of these negotiations in the days ahead it is imperative that the British Government and European Union engage urgently and constructively on the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Irish Protocol.

“It should also be made clear to the British Government that unilaterally amending the Withdrawal Agreement and Irish Protocol via the Internal Market Bill and Finance Bill this week at Westminster is absolutely unacceptable and unnecessary.”