A Sligo MEP says he does not now expect problems over the Northern Ireland protocol to be resolved before the Assembly elections in May.
The UK and EU continue to disagree about key issues such as the level of checks needed on goods coming into Northern Ireland from Britain.
Officials have been working to find a middle way before electioneering gets underway.
Midlands North Nest MEP, Chris MacManus, says he believes the arguments will have to be put on hold until the summer.
