Mr Coveney warned the EU Commission to act quickly to resolve the issues, which burst into the spotlight due to trade chaos at Northern Irish ports this week. Officials in Stormont have also called for the Northern Ireland protocol to be scrapped and replaced due to the impact on trade in the country. Calling on Ursula von der Leyen to act, Mr Coveney said resolutions must be made in order to restore trade in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I recognise that there are serious issues that need to be resolved, we need to work on that with the commission today and with leaders in Northern Ireland.”
Unionists in Northern Ireland have opposed the protocol and have called for emergency measures to be taken after staff were advised not to return to work at the ports due to safety concerns.
The Prime Minister held a call with DUP leader, Arlene Foster, to discuss measures at ports in Northern Ireland.
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has also written to his counterpart and Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations, Maros Sefcovic, to ask for an extension to the grace period for goods entering from Great Britain.
Speaking to RTE, Mr Coveney insisted the Republic will be ready to be flexible over the grace period for goods going between the two.
With supermarkets experiencing shortages, Mr Coveney said: “From an Irish perspective we want there to be some flexibility here if its possible to do that.”
After the fallout caused by the EU’s threat to invoke Article 16 of the free trade agreement with the UK, Mr Coveney warned the implementation of the protocol would now be more difficult.
He added: “While that decision was reversed, and wouldn’t have happened at all if there had been consultation, it certainly triggered a political response in Northern Ireland, which makes implementation of the protocol even more difficult.
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Currently, there is amnesty on checks for goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain until March.
However, due to the uncertainty inflicted on trade Mr Gove, has called for the amnesty to be extended until January 2023.
He said: “The arrangements that currently apply to supermarkets and their suppliers must be extended until at least January 1 2023.
“The eligibility for these arrangements must also be adapted so that all relevant local businesses and services are able to be included as authorised traders.
“This must be accompanied by a commitment to rapid work on a proportionate, risk-based long-term solution that recognises the very low-risk nature of retail movements by trusted traders.
“A permanent solution should be put in place for those chilled meat products moving GB-NI that are otherwise prohibited.
“If this in practice requires further time and engagement, then a temporary solution must be in place until at least January 1 2023.”
— to www.express.co.uk
