Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no question of Northern Ireland being used as a bargaining chip in the negotiations, but some form of customs union will be necessary. I believe she understands that, judging by the later part of her article. No one wants to contemplate a collapse and a no-deal situation. She misrepresents many of the statements from the Oireachtas as being an ultimatum, which is not our intention. I do not doubt that the negotiators - the British Minister, Mr. Davis, and his team, and Mr. Barnier and his team - are competent and able people.

However, I agree with Ms Dodds on one matter. The trade talks will be the key to removing a no-deal scenario from the table once and for all. There is no question of a border on the Irish Sea. That is not in our interests either. I mean no disrespect, but our east-west trade is worth more than our North-South trade. That said, of course we want a seamless Border.

People will have to learn to be patient while the negotiations are under way. In any negotiation, there has to be give and take and compromises have to be made. There must be some form of a comprehensive, overall UK-EU customs partnership - a customs union in another guise, under another name or whatever. That would not be beyond the wordsmiths, lawyers and everyone else.