Simon Coveney welcomes resolution in Brexit medicines row
The EU has announced proposed laws to assist the free flow of medicines from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.

Simon Coveney has welcomed an agreement between the EU and the UK to secure the supply of medicines into Northern Ireland
The EU has announced proposed laws to assist the free flow of medicines from Great Britain into Northern Ireland, in a move it said would create momentum to resolve other disputes over Brexitās Irish Sea border.
European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic announced the legislative proposals in Brussels on Friday.
Welcoming the move, the Irish Foreign Minister Mr Coveney said: āAccess to medicines has been at the top of my agenda.
āThe plan announced today turns commitment into solutions.
āBy ensuring the continued long-term supply of medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and in addressing other supply issues for Ireland, it provides reassurance to people across the island that they will continue to have access to the medicines they need.
āI hope that this solution on medicines can act as a catalyst for solving the other protocol issues early in the new year.ā
Protocol talks are set to resume in January when efforts will intensify to resolve the areas of dispute.
Mr Coveney said: āI firmly believe the protocol will work, if we allow it, with flexibility and pragmatism.
āA positive outcome to the current talks remains our key objective.
āI welcome the fact that the EU and the UK have agreed on the importance of continuing talks in the New Year.
āThis is the best way to bring about substantive progress and find durable solutions to the practical problems faced by people and business in Northern Ireland.ā
Following the announcement, Mr Sefcovic said he hoped there would be a āgear changeā in the wider negotiations with the UK on protocol issues next month.
āToday is a further demonstration of the EUās unwavering commitment to stability and predictability for citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland and I urge the UK Government to reciprocate our efforts,ā he said.
āThe EU and the UK are partners with shared values and shared global challenges so it is time to change gear and bring our partnership to the level on which it belongs.ā