Simon Coveney: Brexit transition period could last five years

A Brexit transition period could last five years as businesses will need as much time as possible to adapt, Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has told the Dáil.

He warned that if there is a significant difference between the current trading environment and the trading arrangements post-Brexit, we will need a number of years to allow businesses to adapt to that change.

“We need time, too, to negotiate the detail of a new trade deal,” he said.