Simon Coveney said he understood there was “still quite a gap” between the UK and the EU on what has become a major sticking point in renegotiations of the Northern Ireland Protocol. However, he believed that both sides wanted to avoid “a falling out” over the issue.

       Northern Ireland receives most of its medical supplies from the rest of the UK. However, as the nation remains part of the single market, a grace period on EU regulations is intended to run out in January.

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