Negotiators from the EU and UK are trying to find a way forward on post-Brexit trade arrangements that will prevent Northern Ireland from having to hold snap elections.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney indicated that an agreement on simplifying EU-required checks at local ports could be announced on or shortly before October 28, which is the last day Northern Ireland has to form a new cross-community administration.
The pro-British party, the Democratic Unionists, have stated they won't allow this to happen unless the EU agrees to end all checks and restrictions on British goods staying in Northern Ireland.
During a meeting with four of the five main parties in Northern Ireland's crippled legislature, Coveney suggested the negotiations were progressing.
Negotiators from the UK and EU are working to agree on post-Brexit trading arrangements that will prevent Northern Ireland from having to hold snap elections.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has indicated that an agreement on simplifying EU-required checks at local ports is expected to be announced before October 28, which is the last day northern Ireland has to form a new cross-community administration.
Speaking after a meeting with four of the five main parties in Northern Ireland's crippled legislature, Coveney suggested that negotiations were progressing.
However, the main pro-British party, the Democratic Unionists, declined to attend the meeting, citing diary conflicts.
They have made it clear that they will not allow a new cross-community administration unless the EU ends all checks and restrictions on British goods staying in northern Ireland.
The talks centre around the Northern Ireland protocol, an agreement in the Brexit withdrawal treaty designed to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Although Northern Ireland remained in the UK customs union, the protocol means that goods can only flow freely between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland if they meet certain EU rules, which has led to disruption and, in some cases, empty supermarket shelves.
The talks have stalled, with the UK wanting changes to the protocol and the EU accusing the UK of failing to implement it properly.
With the deadline for a new administration fast approaching, it is hoped that an agreement can be reached that will prevent snap elections in Northern Ireland.
The proposed agreement would see a simplification of EU-required checks at local ports, a move that could allow the UK to avoid imposing more stringent rules on the Northern-Ireland-to-mainland-Britain trade.
As Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney noted, "there is a way forward here that satisfies everybody", but the Democratic Unionists are pushing for an end to all checks and restrictions on British goods in Northern Ireland.
The Ulster Unionist Party, another pro-British party in Northern Ireland, is willing to accept a new administration without the removal of these checks.
The negotiations are reaching a critical stage, as all sides try to reach a viable agreement that avoids the possibility of snap elections.