Irish FM-Landing Zone On NI Protocol Possible In Next Few Weeks

Wires carrying comments from Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney stating that a 'landing zone' on the Northern Ireland protocol is possible 'in the next few weeks'.

• Coveney, in line with positive comments from EU officials in recent days, says that 'trust is growing' in protocol negotiations between the EU and UK. Adds that as of yet the two sides, 'haven't made any major breakthroughs on [the] protocol'.
• Talk of a 'landing zone' is the clearest signal yet that there could be a compromise reached on the issue of the protocol. However, reaction from unionist politicians in Northern Ireland and eurosceptic Conservative backbenchers in the UK could prove crucial to any re-worked protocol's prospects.
• Nevertheless, over the multi-year Brexit process, negotiations have seemed to be progressing only for talks to grind to a halt. Therefore, Coveney's comments should be viewed with some caution.