Brexit deal both "can live with" still possible - Ireland's Coveney

Ireland's foreign minister said he believed it is still possible for Britain and the European Union to strike a post-Brexit trade deal that they both can live with and that failure would not strengthen the EU's hand in any future talks.

"Anybody who thinks no deal now is in the EU's strategic interests because in six or 12 months time, when we start talking to the UK about putting in place a new agreement, that somehow the EU's hand will be strengthened, I don't think that shows an understanding of a British mindset," Coveney told a news conference ahead of a meeting with his German counterpart Heiko Maas.

"I think the United Kingdom will try and make whatever the outcome is in the next few days and weeks work, whether it's a deal or no deal and so all of the focus now should be on getting a deal done that both sides can live with and work with."