Reuters reports that Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said that Britain and the European Union have a week to 10 days to find a way to unlock trade talks.

The trade talks resume on Monday in Brussels after there was little movement on the most contentious areas last week when the two sides missed the latest mid-November deadline.

"We really are in the last week to 10 days of this, if there is not a major breakthrough over the next week to 10 days then I think we really are in trouble and the focus will shift to preparing for a no trade deal and all the disruption that that brings," Coveney told Ireland's Newstalk radio station.

"I think the British government understand only too well that's required for a deal this week, the real question is whether the political appetite is there to do it. I think we will (get a deal), that's been my prediction for a while but I won't be shocked if it all falls apart."