Brendan Howlin
Question:13. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. [22491/16]
View answerWednesday, 20 July 2016
Questions (13)
Written answers
I met Chancellor Merkel in Berlin on 12 July. Our discussion focussed on the outcome of the UK referendum and its implications for Ireland, Germany and the European Union more generally. I took the opportunity to reiterate to Chancellor Merkel Ireland’s strong commitment to EU membership.
Over the past year, including at the European Council on 27 and 28 June, I have had many constructive exchanges with the Chancellor and with other EU Heads of State or Government, where I have outlined Ireland’s particular relationship with the UK. I took the opportunity to elaborate on this at our recent meeting in Berlin and to explain to the Chancellor our particular concerns, including in relation to Northern Ireland, North-South relations, the Common Travel Area and bilateral trade. I was pleased to find her fully aware and understanding of those concerns, and to have her assurances that we share the objective of constructive negotiations towards a close future relationship between the EU and the UK.
Chancellor Merkel and I were in full agreement that, when Article 50 is invoked and formal negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal commence, it will fall to EU Heads of State or Government, as members of the European Council, to set strategic direction and to make the key decisions. Ireland will be closely involved in framing the negotiating mandate for these discussions.
As I explained to the Chancellor, this is not a case of seeking a separate deal for Ireland, but of ensuring that Ireland’s specific concerns are addressed in whatever agreement is ultimately reached between the UK and the EU. I emphasised to Chancellor Merkel that these concerns, above all the preservation of peace and stability in Northern Ireland, are not only in the interests of Ireland and the UK, but of the EU as a whole.