Crucial week ahead in Brexit negotiations, says Ahern – RTE.ie

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said the "stakes on a no-deal" Brexit will be based a lot on what happens this week.

Speaking on RT Radio 1 to Brendan O'Connor he said this week is a "crucial week" as it is the last negotiating session of Brexit.

"If there is no progress on Brexit this week, the withdrawal agreement says at the end of June, that you have to have it. If you don't, you go into the Autumn with a no deal."

He thinks a thing that is missed a lot is if you go into Autumn with no deal you have to back to each country to see if you have an extension.

"The issue is as simple as this. Is there going to be an extension past beyond the 31st of December or is there not?"

Mr Ahern said he thinks British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is not the most difficult person to do business with as he will "switch his position to make a deal."

He said he is a "guy who will look for solutions rather than problems."

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Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Fostersaid she is concerned that there will be checks on some goods going between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, but work is with the British government on these issues.

"What we have to do is minimise those checks and that they do not damage the economy of Northern Ireland".

She said the best way to protect the Belfast agreement is make sure there are not unnecessary checks.

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Crucial week ahead in Brexit negotiations, says Ahern - RTE.ie