Richard Bruton: Irish jobs at risk in any trade war

A government minister has admitted Irish jobs are at risk if the UK chooses to wage a damaging post-Brexit “trade war” with the EU.

Education Minister Richard Bruton said any arrangement that erects barriers between Ireland and its nearest neighbour is not in our interests, as he accepted the possibility of trade tariffs and corporate tax cuts in Britain were now on the table.

Mr Bruton said “a lot of political positioning” is taking place before negotiations begin between Britain and the EU in March.