Clock ticking on Brexit, but Coveney holds his nerve

The moment of truth is creeping ever nearer with still no solution in sight, but the Tánaiste remains optimistic of a deal being reached

Simon Coveney, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready workshop in Monaghan last Friday Picture: Julien Behal

Tánaiste Simon Coveney compares the Brexit negotiations to climbing a mountain. “The last 100 yards is always the hardest,” he says. There are just five months to go until Britain officially leaves the European Union. And there is still no deal.

Coveney has heard all the warnings of a sell-out at the final moment, which have grown louder as that moment now approaches. The government is hyper sensitive to it, which is why ...