The EU and UK Brexit trade deal has officially become law.
The agreement was rushed through the British parliament yesterday after MPs voted overwhelming in favour of it.
The transition period ends at 11.00pm tonight, 11 months after Britain left the European Union.
The UK House of Commons backed the agreement by 521 votes to 73 - a majority of 448.
The deal, which stretches to 1,246 pages, was flown to London in a military plane after being signed by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Wednesday morning.
Ms von der Leyen said: "It has been a long road. It’s time now to put Brexit behind us. Our future is made in Europe."
Today, @eucopresident and I signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Prime Minister @BorisJohnson will sign it later today in London.
It has been a long road. It’s time now to put Brexit behind us.
Our future is made in Europe. pic.twitter.com/fjybWryJNY— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 30, 2020
While earlier this week, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said he hoped talk about the UK's departure from the EU 'will fade away' - and that Ireland 'defended itself against the vulnerabilities Brexit forced upon us.'
He said: "The border, the peace process, billions in tariffs and our place in the single market were all threatened by Brexit, these have all now been put to bed.
"When you weigh up the enormous damage of a no deal, I think Ireland has defended itself against the vulnerabilities Brexit forced upon us.
"The protection from the Irish protocol and this deal is beyond what many predicted would be possible."
He added: "There will still be some changes to the status quo on January 1st because of our nearest neighbour being outside the EU and cabinet will also discuss supports for the most affected sectors.
"This weekend my feeling is one of relief but tinged with regret that the UK is going it alone.
"Ireland is now focused on building a new relationship with the UK outside of the EU.
"Personally I hope talk of 'Brexit' will fade away."
