Ireland and the EU could be on collision course with Britain when post-Brexit trade talks in the coming weeks.
European ministers on Tuesday signed off on Brussels’ red lines and put into print warnings by Michel Barnier that the UK must sign up to a “level playing field” in any free trade deal.
This demand by the EU’s chief negotiator would see the UK having to follow some EU rules and standards after the Brexit transition period ends in 2021.
But this is a concession Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already ruled out amid allegations that Britain is also trying “get around” elements of the Withdrawal Agreement in relation to Northern Ireland.
Brussels will also demand that the EU fishing fleet has access to UK waters - a move that is set to flare tensions with Brexiteers and British fishermen.
Boris Johnson said last month that “British fishing grounds are first and foremost for British boats”.
Tanaiste Simon Coveney said the EU was making a “generous and fair” offer to the UK, but warned Mr Johnson not to renege on the commitments made in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
He said: “From an Irish perspective the text is strong. As you would expect it recognises the importance of protecting the Good Friday Agreement, the peace process.
“It also recognises very clearly in the language the unique geographical positioning of Ireland and therefore the vulnerabilities that need to be taken account of.
“And perhaps most importantly it makes it very, very clear that this negotiation, in terms of creating a structured and hopefully positive future relationship, has also got to ensure that the agreements that have already been struck and made in the context of the Withdrawal Agreement are fully implemented.
“And of course in the case of the Irish protocol they need to be fully implemented and ready to go next year.”
At the weekend the Sunday Times reported that Boris Johnson had ordered his officials to find ways to “get around” the Northern Ireland protocol which aims to avoid the introduction of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
British ministers are expected to seek a Canada-style agreement with zero tariffs, a proposal Mr Johnson and his Europe adviser, David Frost, have set out in speeches in recent weeks.
But the push for a Canada-style deal could set up a clash with the EU after Mr Barnier ruled out such an agreement.
