Taoiseach Micheál Martin has welcomed the post-Brexit trade deal reached between the EU and the UK, saying that the foundations have been set for a "harmonious relationship".
Mr Martin said he had been in touch with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson this morning, and they had agreed to recommit themselves to creating a framework for the future to nurture and strengthen the relationship between Britain and Ireland.
He said the deal protects jobs and the Irish economy in so far as possible in terms of Brexit, saying a no-deal outcome would have been very, very damaging.
Mr Martin said the deal protects the Common Travel Area and the all-island economy and will mean no hard border on the island. He said it also protects the single market and Ireland's place at the heart of Europe.
"It is good news for Ireland, it is good news for our society and economy"
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 24, 2020
Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD welcomes the trade agreement reached between the EU and UK, adding that it protects the all-island economy, and prevents a hard border | More: https://t.co/LMlptaczUn pic.twitter.com/8SarJgthHd
The Taoiseach paid tribute to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her negotiating team, including Michel Barnier, who he described as a great friend to Ireland.
"I warmly welcome the fact that we have a deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom in relation to the future trading relationship between us and a deal that encompasses so much more in terms of aviation, energy, judicial and police cooperation.
"I think it's very important that the foundations have now been set for a harmonious relationship, and we can go forward in that harmony into the future."
"I think this deal in many ways I think protects jobs and protects the Irish economy and industry in so far as we can do in terms of Brexit. A no deal would have been very, very damaging indeed.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also welcomed the agreement, saying that it "brings clarity and certainty for businesses and citizens".
Mr Varadkar said today was a "very good day for the EU", adding that years of hard work and diplomacy have protected Ireland from the consequences of a no-deal Brexit.
"We have the best deal possible after four years of tough negotiations. It builds on the Irish Protocol negotiated in The Wirral, which guarantees the Common Travel Area and no hard border in Ireland," he said.
He added: "It's a sad but momentous day".
"Brexit will never be 'done'," he said, adding, "there will need to be future agreements and disputes that arise that will have to be resolved".
"This is a moment of immense relief"
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 24, 2020
.@MaryLouMcDonald says there is no good Brexit, but there is a very strong sense of relief that an agreement has been reached, adding that people now need to start planning for the future | More: https://t.co/LMlptaczUn pic.twitter.com/EmCYXZ3jg8
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that while there will be "immense relief" that a trade deal has been agreed, people should be under no illusions that "there is no good Brexit for Ireland, north or south".
Ms McDonald said that now is the time to start planning for the future post-Brexit.
"There will be relief that a trade deal has now been agreed between Britain and the EU and special arrangements for Ireland, encapsulated in the Irish Protocol, will be implemented.
"The Good Friday Agreement has been protected, there will be no hardening of the border and protections for the all-island economy are in place. There is also a level of certainty for businesses.
"But we are under no illusions that there is no good Brexit for Ireland, north or south, and the full consequences of this are as yet unknown."
Northern Ireland's leaders have also welcomed the reaching of a trade deal ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period.
DUP leader Arlene Foster has said she will want to see the detail of the Brexit deal agreed between the EU and UK, but said it represents good news and should be welcomed as such | Follow live updates: https://t.co/PyyCj5tNAH pic.twitter.com/RpiOq4FQpY
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 24, 2020
First Minister Arlene Foster said the Stormont Executive has been united in supporting the need for a trade deal.
"This is the start of a new era in the relationship between the UK and the EU and in Northern Ireland we will want to maximise the opportunities the new arrangements provide for our local economy," she said.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the Executive as a whole will examine the detail of the deal.
"While we have distinctly different political positions on leaving the EU, we are all agreed that it's in no-one interests to leave without a deal, therefore this announcement is good news which will be welcomed across the whole island," she said.
"As an Executive we will now need to consider the detail of the agreement because there will be many questions on what the agreement means for businesses and citizens and it is important they get that clarity."
In a personal statement sent separately, Mrs Foster said details of both the trade deal, as well as other issues including security will be examined.
"Given the Government's Northern Ireland Protocol, a sensible trade deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union was always the most favourable outcome for Northern Ireland," she said.
"Moving forward, we will continue to work to seize the opportunities and address the challenges which arise from the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the deal "will not undo the enormous damage caused by Brexit to people, businesses and communities in Northern Ireland".
"This entire Brexit fantasy is a future that people here do not want and did not vote for," he said.
"A deal is better than no-deal, but the best deal will always remain being at the heart of the European Union.
"That is what our people voted for in 2016, we all deserve a future that is no longer limited to the least worst option."
