Irish PM-"EU & UK Not In 'Tunnel' On Protocol Is My Understanding"

Ireland's Taoiseach (PM) Leo Varadkar states that it is, "My understanding from the EU is that they are not in the 'tunnel' on negotiations yet with Britain." A Bloomberg article earlier today reported speculation that the two sides could be nearing the 'tunnel' (the final stretch of talks before an agreement is reached) on the Northern Ireland protocol issue.

• The mood of both EU and UK sides has improved recently, notably following the agreement reached earlier this week regarding the EU's access to data that would allow it to track goods shipments from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. However, officials from London and Brussels have sought to play down prospects of an agreement in the short term.
• Speaking on a visit to Belfast, Varadkar states that it "Is possible that reaching an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol may not be enough to re-establish the Northern Ireland Executive".