That was the easy part of Brexit talks

What will now come into sharp focus is how Britain can square the seemingly impossible circle of continued Most Favoured Nation trading status with the EU while being outside both the customs union and single market

Whether we like it or not, Brexit will remain an essential strand in our politics for years to come. How we handle Brexit or how Brexit handles us, will pretty much decide the fate of politicians and political parties in Ireland for the next decade.

Up to now the Irish political system, government and civil service have come through with flying colours. It has been an astonishing diplomatic triumph, especially given all the ...