John Whelan: Brexit illustrates need for all-Ireland trade body 

Information and advisory service required to meet needs of SMEs to grapple with the increasing range of regulatory requirements, as well as tariff and tax issues, in trading across the border post-Brexit

Prospects for a brighter future — as the rollout of Covid vaccines becomes a reality — continue to be dampened by the uncertainty created by the brinkmanship of Boris Johnson's government in the EU-UK trade negotiations.

Most firms have survived the impact of the pandemic, albeit financially weakened in many cases, but will need massive government support to avoid collapse in the event of a no-deal Brexit.