Brexit

British prime minister Boris Johnson has been accused of ‘insulting’ the EU. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA EU-UK row over ambassador’s status worsens amid leak of letter

Foreign affairs chief raises concerns over UK refusal to grant EU mission full diplomatic status

EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet, Pool via AP Businesses must deal with post-Brexit trade ‘challenges’ – Barnier
Irish Road Haulage Association president Eugene Drennan at Dublin Port. Photograph Nick Bradshaw. Brexit checks will bring trade to standstill and threaten economy, Irish truckers say

Labour leader Keir Starmer. The Labour Party has launched an education initiative for its 500,000 members on the Belfast Agreement. Photograph: Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/AFP via Getty Images Starmer gives British Labour a lesson in Irish history
Taoiseach Micheál Martin: ‘No country has more to gain than we have from positive and stable European Union-United Kingdom relations.’ Photograph: Julien Behal/Handout/EPA Ireland’s relationship with Britain ‘will always be close and special’ – Taoiseach
Former British chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne. File photograph: Matt Cardy/PA Wire North ‘slowly becoming part of united Ireland’, says former British chancellor
Fishing boats moored in Dunbar Harbour, East Lothian. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Fishermen fear London will deny North fair share of extra fish Brexit quota
Ireland’s EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness: ‘It isn’t our objective that we’re trying to take some of the one million people’s jobs that are in the United Kingdom. But we are trying to take account of Brexit.’ Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/Pool/EPA ‘Brexodus’ of jobs from City of London to continue, says EU commissioner
Scam artists are exploiting a surge in messages from delivery companies seeking Brexit-related taxes and charges. File photograph: Getty Images Scammers exploit Brexit taxes and charges for packages
A range of Irish and French cheeses are seen on display at a Deli in Belfast, in January 2021. Photograph: Getty Images Empty shelves in the North are because of Covid, not Brexit, says Lewis
Students who are eligible for a grant under Susi are entitled to use that funding when registered to study in a university within the UK or Northern Ireland. File photograph: iStock I’m thinking of studying in a UK university. What post-Brexit fees will I face?
Freight trucks at Dublin Port. The Department of Transport suggested that some companies had been insufficiently prepared for complexities when exporting products to Ireland. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie Revenue says Brexit delays on goods going through Dublin Port are easing

From February 1st, Howth in Co Dublin will be added to the designated ports list. File photograph: iStock Five more ports in State to open for Northern-registered fishing vessels
Some customers said they have yet to receive products bought weeks ago. Photograph: iStock Brexit: Currys/PC World Irish customers asked to pay import taxes in error
Empty shelves in Tesco, Banbridge, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire 5:57 Irish officials raise queries with EU over disruptive post-Brexit ‘rules of origin’
Stena Line said its ferry the Estrid will operate the new weekend service from Dublin to Cherbourg. Photograph: Stena Line Ferry firms offer new Ireland to France sailings due to Brexit delays
‘The UK’s departure from the EU also has brought implications for our all-island dairy economy,’ said Irish Co-operative Organisation Society president. Photograph: Oktay Ortakcioglu/Getty Industry stakeholders lay claim to Brexit adjustment fund
Throughout the Brexit saga Ireland has been empowered by EU membership - just as the UK withdrew. Photograph: iStock UK will learn that size matters when it comes to sovereignty
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Ireland’s EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness: ‘It isn’t our objective that we’re trying to take some of the one million people’s jobs that are in the United Kingdom. But we are trying to take account of Brexit.’ Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/Pool/EPA ‘Brexodus’ of jobs from City of London to continue, says EU commissioner
Scam artists are exploiting a surge in messages from delivery companies seeking Brexit-related taxes and charges. File photograph: Getty Images Scammers exploit Brexit taxes and charges for packages
A range of Irish and French cheeses are seen on display at a Deli in Belfast, in January 2021. Photograph: Getty Images Empty shelves in the North are because of Covid, not Brexit, says Lewis
Freight trucks at Dublin Port. The Department of Transport suggested that some companies had been insufficiently prepared for complexities when exporting products to Ireland. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie Revenue says Brexit delays on goods going through Dublin Port are easing
From February 1st, Howth in Co Dublin will be added to the designated ports list. File photograph: iStock Five more ports in State to open for Northern-registered fishing vessels
Some customers said they have yet to receive products bought weeks ago. Photograph: iStock Brexit: Currys/PC World Irish customers asked to pay import taxes in error
Empty shelves in Tesco, Banbridge, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire 5:57 Irish officials raise queries with EU over disruptive post-Brexit ‘rules of origin’
Stena Line said its ferry the Estrid will operate the new weekend service from Dublin to Cherbourg. Photograph: Stena Line Ferry firms offer new Ireland to France sailings due to Brexit delays
Dublin Rathdown TD Neale Richmond said the group required investigation even if it sought to move ‘just as a flag of convenience’. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times TD calls for ‘serious scrutiny’ of Leave.EU group that relocated to Waterford
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the reality of Brexit required the management of very “damaging developments”. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Ireland and UK determined to ‘reboot’ relationship in wake of Brexit, says Taoiseach
Dublin Port this week. Traders have expressed frustration at the layers of new border controls applying now on imports from Britain. Photograph: AFP via Getty Part of Revenue’s customs system failed on two days this week
A freight lorry leaves Dublin Port earlier this week. The FTAI has warned of a ‘growing backlog of goods’ sitting in depots because there are not enough agents to process the paperwork. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images Brexit: Freight group warns Taoiseach of empty shelves and higher prices
Depleted shelves at a Belfast supermarket on Monday. Photograph: David Young/PA Wire North’s hospitals, schools risk food shortages due to NI protocol, Poots claims
A small percentage of Arnotts’ stock was being held in the UK, leading to the misplaced charges, The Irish Times understands. File photograph: Alan Betson Arnotts shoppers charged import fees due to Brexit teething problems
The Stena Embla will be able to take about 50 more lorries than the Stena Horizon. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Stena moves larger ship to French route as more firms seek to avoid Brexit checks
Large gaps have appeared on supermarket shelves in the North in recent weeks. Photograph: PA UK will trigger safeguards in Brexit deal if NI supermarkets suffer – Johnson
DUP MP Ian Paisley: accused Conservative MPs of “screwing over” the North. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Boris Johnson promises safeguards if trade with North severely disrupted
Depleted shelves in Marks & Spencer at Donegall Place in Belfast as major retailers in Northern Ireland continue to experience Brexit-related disruption. Photograph: PA ‘Urgent’ help needed to ensure supply to North, UK supermarkets warn
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney. Photograph: Julien Behal Photography. Ireland awarded over €1bn from EU fund to offset Brexit impact
A truck driver checks in with security at the Port of Larne. Photograph: Mark Marlow/Bloomberg 3:39 Post-Brexit costs: British firms charging Irish customers more
Hauliers are booked onto the new Rosslare to Dunkirk service operated by shipping line DFDS. 4:06 Post-Brexit demand for direct ferries causes capacity problems
The percentage of cargo coming into Dublin Port from Britain and getting Revenue clearance to immediately enter the State has to more than 70 per cent. Photograph: Alan Betson Over 70% of British imports arriving into Dublin Port clearing without delays
Beef prices have held up relatively well in the immediate aftermath of Brexit but Ministers have been warned of potential disruption to come. Photograph: Todd Korol/Reuters 4:06 Brexit and beef farmers: Plans for exceptional aid discussed
Gardaí and customs examine trucks at Dublin Port. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Brexit: Ireland to explore easing of checks on food and animals
The check-in area at Holyhead port in Wales. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Brexit: British hauliers pause transport of goods to EU and NI
Mail companies worldwide are working to clear backlogs caused by Covid-19. Photograph: iStock Expect overseas Christmas mail throughout January, says An Post
Northern Ireland is still treated as being within the EU Customs Territory. Photograph: iStock Two-tier system applies for post-Brexit vehicle imports from North and Britain
Empty supermarket shelves in Marks & Spencer in Liffey Valley, Lucan. Photograph: Alan Betson Hauliers using North to avoid State’s Brexit checks
You can expect to pay more for the goods you buy from British-based websites. Photograph: iStock Q&A: How Brexit has impacted online shopping from the UK
While there is no doubt about empty shelves in some stores, others have downplayed the extent of the problem. Photograph: Alan Betson British government unlikely to breach NI protocol
A customs officer is seen at an inspection centre at the port of Larne on January 1st, which was the first day of the UK’s future outside the EU. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Northern Ireland-Britain supply chain is near breaking point, hauliers warn
Rosslare Europort reported an almost 500 per cent increase in freight units on ferries to and from France and Spain in the first six sailing days of January. Photograph: Alan Betson 4:35 Surge in freight traffic on direct ferry routes to Europe
Percy Pig sweets are not the only products which could be hit by the Brexit “rules of origin” regulations. Photograph: Patrick Humphreys Percy Pigs become latest Brexit victim as retailer M&S warns price may rise
Lorries leave the Stena Line terminal at Belfast Harbour on January 1st. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire First week of post-Brexit realities brings chaos to Irish-British trade
Revenue Commissioners issued a general code to allow traders and hauliers circumvent customs arrangements. Post-Brexit customs eased temporarily for businesses importing from Britain
A Stena ferry departing Holyhead for Dublin on January 1st. Stena is reviewing its Irish Sea schedules because of Brexit and Covid restrictions. Photograph: Bloomberg Largest Irish Sea ferry operator cuts sailings due to supply chain problems
New arrangements for bringing pets and assistance dogs to Northern Ireland from Great Britain are in effect following the end of the Brexit transition period on January 1st. North’s chief vet gives assurance on assistance dogs post-Brexit
When shopping online from a UK business, contact the business before check-out to see if it operates as DAP or DDP and if it is VAT registered in the State. Photograph: iStock Online shopping from the UK delivers financial shocks
Speaking at a meeting of Westminster’s Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, the DUP’s North Antrim MP said it was time to invoke article 16 of the protocol.  Article 16 of the protocol allows the EU or the UK to “unilaterally take appropriate safeguard measures” if its application leads to “serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist” or to diversion of trade. Photograph: PA Paisley calls for Britain to disapply Northern protocol due to trade disruption
Unloading at Belfast Harbour. Some trucks bound for the North have been sent back to Britain. Photograph: iStock ‘Hardships’ coming for traders at North’s post-Brexit borders, lobby groups say
The UK’s growth is forecast to be 0.5 percentage points lower every year for the next decade than if it had had stayed in the bloc, according to Bloomberg Economics. Photograph: AFP via Getty Sterling’s Brexit honeymoon comes to an end
Much of the flour imported to Ireland from the UK is also now subject to tariffs of up to 50 per cent, due to the presence in it of Canadian wheat. Photograph: Getty Images Brexit problems hit Irish deliveries from food distribution hubs in Britain
Signage at Holyhead port in North Wales indicates the direction vehicles should follow depending on the relevant paperwork for crossing to Ireland. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images Awareness campaign planned for hauliers on Brexit rules
Minister of State Robert Troy (right) encouraged consumers in Ireland to continue to enjoy the benefit from shopping online with the UK but he urged them to ‘think ahead’ before making a purchase. File image: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times Brexit: Irish consumers warned of new online shopping charges
The City of London. Trading in equities such as Santander, Deutsche Bank and Total moved to EU marketplaces or back to primary exchanges such as the Madrid, Frankfurt and Paris bourses. EU share trading flees London on first day after full Brexit
A rainbow forms over Dublin Port on Monday afternoon. ‘Vaccines are very much something that we will ensure will move speedily through,’ said Tom Talbot, head of customs operations for the Revenue Commissioners at Dublin Port. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins 3:36 Vaccines to be fast-tracked at ports in event of post-Brexit delays
The pound had strengthened after a last-minute Brexit deal was agreed on December 24th, which set rules for industries such as fishing and agriculture. Photograph: iStock Sterling weakens against euro as post-Brexit deal rally falters
Dublin Port’s system of streaming vehicles through the checks, while gardaí checked identities and ensured Covid tracking locator forms had been filled in, is working smoothly. File photograph: Alan Betson Plain sailing at Dublin Port for start of first working week of 2021
Signage at Holyhead port in North Wales indicates the direction vehicles should follow depending on the relevant paperwork for crossing to Ireland. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images Delays expected at ports as post-Brexit checks surge
British prime minister Boris Johnson leaves Broadcasting House in central London following his appearance on the BBC One current affairs programme The Andrew Marr Show. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Brexit bureaucracy a ‘tragic reality’, says Boris Johnson
The first truck alights from the DFDS ferry after its maiden voyage from Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford to Dunkirk in northern France. Photograph: Sharon Gaffney. Brexit: Truckers arrive ‘fresh and well-fed’ after first Rosslare-Dunkirk sailing
Irish Ferries has invested €150 million in direct services to the continent. Photograph: Paul Ellis / AFP 3:15 ‘Faster, cheaper’ UK landbridge will lure businesses - Irish Ferries boss
Trucks pass through a customs post at Dublin Port as new arrangements come into force. Photograph: PA Most lorries on first post-Brexit ferries did not know about customs checks
The first lorry disembarks on New Year’s Day from the first Cairnryan to Belfast Stenna Line ferry to dock after the end of the Brexit transition period. Photograph: Alan Lewis/Photopress Brexit aftermath: ‘Teething problems’ in NI on first trading day
UK prime minister Boris Johnson giving his New Year’s message. Photograph: No 10 Downing Street /PA Wire Brexit will see UK nations pull together, Boris Johnson says
Radoslav Radev and his healthcare load from Belgium was refused entry to Holyhead Port because of inadequate, post-Brexit papers. Photograph: Peter Murtagh/The Irish Times 6:20 Dismay and elation on first trading day in post-Brexit Holyhead
DFDS ship Optima Seaways doing berthing trials earlier this week at Rosslare Europort, in preparation for the new direct service to Dunkirk. First day of sailings between Rosslare and Dunkirk booked out
The Irish Ferries Ulysses arrives at Dublin Port from Holyhead in Wales on Friday morning. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA First post-Brexit ferry from Britain docks at Dublin port
British prime minister Boris Johnson: UK is ‘free to do things differently, and if necessary better, than our friends in the EU’. File photograph: PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images Brexit: End of an era as United Kingdom fully leaves the European Union
The terminal building at Calais Port, France. Photograph: Sharon Gaffney Additional 700 customs officers hired to keep freight moving in Calais
A 2019 file photograph of Stanley Johnson. Photograph: Reuters/Henry Nicholls ‘I am French’: Boris Johnson’s father applies to France for citizenship
An IT system set up by the French authorities will not be able to distinguish between British and Irish lorry drivers transporting food consignments through the UK “landbridge”. Photograph: Jack Taylor/Getty Images 4:02 Hauliers face delays at French ports despite EU fast-track plan
Britain’s prime minister Boris Johnson signing the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday. Handout photograph: Andrew Parsons/EPA 8:54 UK and EU enter new relationship at 11pm as Johnson says deal settles 'vexed question’
Labour leader Keir Starmer during the debate in the House of Commons on the Brexit Bill on Wednesday. Photograph: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire UK MPs back Brexit trade agreement by 521 votes to 73
Stena Line brought forward the planned doubling of ferry sailings and capacity on its ships on the direct service between Rosslare and Cherbourg in response to congestion. Demand for post-Brexit direct sailings to Europe surges
DUP First Minister Arlene Foster said that “to paraphrase Winston Churchill, it is not the beginning of the end but rather the end of the beginning”. File photograph: David Young/PA Wire Winston Churchill name-checked in Belfast as clock ticks towards Brexit
Customs Officers at Dublin Port pictured this afternoon as the Brexit transition period comes to an end. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Increased Garda presence planned for Border region as Brexit takes effect
Britain’s prime minister Boris Johnson said the deal would allow the UK to ‘take sovereign control of our laws and our national destiny’. File photograph: Tolga Akmen/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Brexit: UK trade deal with the EU passes in the House of Commons
British prime minister Boris Johnson will tell MPs the Brexit deal shows how Britain can be “at once European and sovereign”. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Brexit deal set to be backed by MPs and peers at Westminster
The Taoiseach acknowledged the severe impact the outcome of the Brexit negotiations would have on the fishing industry. Photograph: Sander Koning/ANP/AFP Brexit: Taoiseach concedes EU-UK deal will have negative impact on fishing industry
UK border signs are pictured at the passport control in Arrivals in Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport in London. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/ AFP via Getty Images EU ambassadors give green light to Brexit trade deal with UK
Duty-free between Ireland and Britain was abolished 21 years ago as it was not considered compatible with the emerging single market. Photograph: iStock Brexit: Duty-free makes a come-back for travellers returning from Britain
Taoiseach Micheál Martin with Louise Byrne, right, principal officer for Brexit and international trade at the Department of Agriculture. Photograph: Julien Behal 6:24 Brexit: State braced for sharp rise in checks on food from Britain
A cargo ship in Dublin Port. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire 4:51 Cabinet to discuss Brexit deal as sectors of economy face disruption
Screengrab taken from the twitter feed of @borisjohnson of the prime minister holding up a document on Christmas Eve believed to be the pages of the Brexit deal. Photograph: @borisjohnson/PA Wire Brexit: British government warns of bureaucratic hurdles despite trade deal
Boris Johnson has said he has achieved a Brexit accord with the EU that his critics said would be impossible. Photograph: Paul Grover/AFP via Getty Images Boris Johnson admits Brexit deal may not go ‘as far as we would like’
Removal of the union flag outside the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Boris Johnson told backbench MPs that the Christmas Eve pact is the right deal for the UK and EU. File photograph: PA 5:47 Tory Eurosceptics run rule over Brexit trade deal with EU
British prime minister Boris Johnson: ‘We will be able to set our own standards, to innovate in the way that we want.’ Photograph: PA 4:11 Brexit deal: Boris Johnson set to win Commons backing
Britain’s prime minister Boris Johnson. Photograph: Paul Grover/POOL/AFP via Getty Brexit: Deal greeted with joy and foreboding around world
Ambassadors near the European Union during the special meeting of Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA Brexit: Ambassadors of EU states briefed on trade deal
A shopper wears a protective face covering in Belfast city centre on Christmas Eve, on the day a post-Brexit deal was struck between and UK and EU. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Post-Brexit deal welcomed in NI amid concerns over future outside EU
British prime minister Boris Johnson with Leo Varadkar, then the taoiseach and now Tánaiste, at Government Buildings during the former’s visit to Dublin in September 2019. Mr Varadkar has said Ireland had been saved from “what could have been a very rough Brexit and now is going to be a relatively soft one”, after the UK and EU reached a post-Brexit trade agreement. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Irish must negotiate ‘very hard’ next year to protect fisheries – Varadkar
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen addresses a media conference after she announced that a Brexit deal had been reached. Photograph: Francisco Seco/AP Brexit trade deal agreed between EU and UK after intense talks
Ursula von der Leyen: ‘Today I only feel quiet satisfaction and, frankly speaking, relief’. Photographer: Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency/Bloomberg A Brexit deal has been reached, here’s what happens next
Taoiseach says while the deal reached between the EU-UK would disappoint fishermen, it is was still better than no deal. Photograph: PA Irish fishing communities will be disappointed by Brexit deal, Taoiseach says
Photograph: Angela Merkel said she expects Germany will be able to decide quickly whether to back the deal. File photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire ‘Today is a day of relief. But tainted by some sadness’: EU and British leaders react to Brexit deal
Arlene Foster (L) in a jointly issued statement with Michelle O’Neill (R) said on Thursday that the Northern Executive had been united in supporting the need for a trading deal. File photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire Northern Executive welcomes Brexit deal despite parties’ opposing positions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Photograph: Johanna Geron/AP UK and EU poised to seal Brexit trade deal
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill New visa to allow UK nationals bring non-EEA family to State
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill: ‘Partition has failed all the people of this island.’ Photograph: Sinn Féin/PA Wire Choice between ‘Brexit Britain and new Ireland’ never starker, says O’Neill
Taoiseach Micheál Martin: ‘We’ve created a shared island initiative to concentrate on what’s doable.’ Photograph: Julien Behal Photography/PA Wire North-South economic ties need to be improved post-Brexit - Taoiseach
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. File photograph: John Thys/AFP via Getty EU and UK Brexit trade deal imminent as talks enter ‘end phase’
British officials said a deal was “possible” as early as Wednesday, even though negotiators were still haggling over fisheries and other issues. Photograph: iStock Sterling jumps on hopes Brexit negotiators are nearing a deal