As Brexit talks remain on a cliff edge, the lack of any serious discussion at a senior level on the exposure of Irish farmers to a no-deal Brexit is extremely concerning.

Instead of reinforcing the need to protect the unique trading relationship between Ireland and the UK taking centre stage in last ditch negotiations, the issue appears to have received little attention in recent months.

Future access to British waters by the French and Belgian fishing fleets and the exposure of EU industry, particularly aviation and energy, to State aid subsidies are instead dominating the agenda.

Unfortunately at this stage, in a negotiation process where the outcome does not affect all member states equally, protecting national interest appears top of the agenda.

€750m tariff bill

A no-deal outcome where the future EU-UK trading relationship would default to WTO rules in just a few weeks would see Ireland, with just 1% of the EU population, paying almost 20% of the tariff bill levied on the entire EU.

For Irish agriculture, the imposition of a €750m tariff wall would effectively wipe out large swathes of the industry.

The lack of focus on Irish issues at this crucial stage once again raises concern as to the level of political capital expended by the Irish Government in reaching a solution to north-south trade.

Vital east-west trade

While clearly an important political issue, ensuring the outcome of ongoing negotiations protects both the volume and value of east-west trade, standing at over €80bn per annum, is a critical economic issue for Ireland and Irish farmers.

As negotiations enter the 11th hour, it appears the best we can now hope for is a basic free-trade agreement.

If reached, such an outcome should maintain east-west trade flows, albeit with the imposition of non-tariff barriers.

However, a basic free-trade agreement should in no way be seen as a success for Ireland.

With the British government free to open its markets to third country suppliers, the Brexit impact on the Irish economy and Irish farmers will remain real and severe and increase as time passes.

Having unrestricted access to a market where value is being destructed by cheap non-EU imports will do little to protect the Irish economy or to safeguard the income of Irish farmers.

Having unrestricted access to a market where value is being destructed by cheap non-EU imports will do little to protect the Irish economy

At this critical stage, the priority for the Irish Government must be to double down on getting the EU to refocus on Ireland's unique exposure to a no-deal scenario. Plus a commitment and strategy that recognises the financial exposure of Irish farmers - deal or no deal.

A failure to have Irish concerns centre stage as negotiations come down to the wire will undoubtedly see questioning of the Irish Government’s decision to jettison Phil Hogan from the highly influential European Commission for Trade portfolio just a number of months ago.