Taoiseach: The situation around the Northern Ireland protocol is 'serious'

Micheál Martin briefed party colleagues about his talks with all party leaders in the North in a bid to quell the looming crisis over the possibility that Britain will invoke Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the situation on the Northern Ireland protocol “is serious” and the vibe around it is negative.

Mr Martin told a private meeting of his Fianna Fáil parliamentary party about talks he held with all leaders in the North today in a bid to quell the crisis. He told the meeting the general feedback from business and society in the north is that it is beneficial to have access to the single market.