Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 December 2016
246. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures his Department is taking to ensure that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement are upheld in view of the Brexit referendum result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40499/16]
View answerAs reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the subsequent agreements, including the 2014 Stormont House and the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement, is a priority for the Government.
It is important to note that the status of the Good Friday Agreement, as an international agreement, has not been altered as a result of the UK decision to leave the European Union. The UK referendum result does not in any way diminish the centrality of the Good Friday Agreement or the requirement of both the British and Irish Governments to uphold it.
Ensuring that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement in Northern Ireland are upheld, regardless of the UK’s status within the EU, is a priority for the Government.
The Taoiseach, my Government colleagues and I have been working to emphasise the need to ensure that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement are fully reflected in both the exit deal and in any new EU-UK relationship. This is in the context of our engagements within the EU 27 to highlight Ireland’s priorities in relation to Brexit which also include the Economy and Trade and the Common Travel Area, both issues with a significant North/South dimension.
On the basis of my first round of consultations with my EU counterparts, I believe our EU partners have a good understanding of the issues specific to the island of Ireland including Northern Ireland and the peace process. I was also pleased that Michel Barnier – who will lead the negotiations for the Commission - specifically referenced the Good Friday Agreement in his first public comments earlier this week.
However we take nothing for granted and, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday and succeeding Agreements, the Irish Government will continue to work to ensure that the provisions of the Agreement are protected and reflected in the upcoming negotiations.
