Today the European Parliament approved urgent contingency measures to avoid No Deal Brexit chaos on 1st January 2021. Ciarán Cuffe, Green MEP for Dublin has been working on these measures as part of his role as coordinator for the Greens in the European Parliament's transport committee. Such contingency measures provide common rules for six months to ensure basic road, passenger and air connectivity as well as covering certain aspects of aviation safety.

Ciarán Cuffe MEP said: 'The 1st January deadline was a demand of Boris Johnson's. We are rapidly approaching that date, leaving the European Parliament little time to scrutinize this generation-defining trade deal. Prime Minister Johnson promised the UK that Brexit was oven-ready. The European Parliament has been waiting for the text of this deal for years. Yesterday we heard that the UK is grandstanding on talks over the Channel Tunnel. Passenger and freight travel could cease to operate on 1st January if there is no deal. This reflects poorly on the UK government.

Mr Cuffe went on to say: 'The livelihoods of Irish businesses, goods and services cannot be left to face the chaos that a no-deal outcome would bring. So, MEPs are approving legislation on urgent contingency measures that will allow certain road freight, road passenger, and air travel to continue for up to six months, as well as ensuring aircraft safety certificates are up to date and operating to EU safety standards. It is hoped that in the interim a deal can be reached'.

Ciarán Cuffe added 'While these measures do not provide the same level of access and continuity as we have between the EU and UK in the current transition period, they aim to provide basic connectivity for a limited period to avoid an immediate and total collapse in connectivity. They are however conditional upon the UK providing reciprocal access. Obviously, this precarious situation is not a place we want to be in. But, I am pleased there has been backing for contingency measures from the groups across the European political spectrum. It sends a clear and strong message that the rights of citizens are paramount'.