Micheál Martin: Failure to get Brexit deal over the line would be 'failure of statecraft'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said 97% of the Brexit deal has already been agreed and the remaining 3% “should not be beyond the capacity of both sides to bridge”. File Picture: Julien Behal

Taoiseach Micheál Martin hopes that Brexit negotiations will continue beyond today's deadline to find a resolution to difficult outstanding issues of fisheries and a level playing field.

Talks between EU and UK negotiators continued long into the night, which Mr Martin said "is an important sign in itself".