Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On solidarity, the answer is "Yes". I have good reason to believe that, having spoken to Michel Barnier and others across the EU. As chief negotiator, Michel Barnier has done an extraordinary amount of travelling in order to meet, talk to and persuade people that the approach we have taken on Brexit is the right one and that it is based on unity of purpose and solidarity. If that solidarity were to crack, our approach would become much more challenging. That is understood and there is a very strong sense of unity and solidarity on the Brexit issue. I know Covid-19 is somewhat different. It took the EU by surprise and it was an emergency response, literally overnight in the case of some countries. Solidarity is difficult to maintain in the context of that kind of political and social stress. Brexit is the opposite because there was a gradual build-up to it. The EU has built up its blocks solidly every step of the way and we have a very solid foundation to try to conclude this deal, if we have a negotiating partner that is willing to get it across the line.

On extension, as I informed Deputy Doherty earlier, the easy thing is just too call for an extension but we do not get an extension unless the UK side wants to pursue that approach. At the moment, it does not, so we have to figure out, if we believe more time is needed, how we can convince the UK of that and how we can make it as easy as possible for it politically to take that approach.

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