Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2017
43. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the almost invisible Border can be maintained between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in view of the fact that the British Prime Minister has stated that the UK will leave the Single Market and will seek a new arrangement regarding the customs union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3260/17]
View answer45. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which his Department will advocate for the special position of Northern Ireland in the upcoming Brexit negotiations in view of the fact that the British Prime Minister has indicated that there will be no special deals or status for Northern Ireland or other devolved administrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3261/17]
View answerIn the context of the British Prime Minister's speech on 17 January last outlining her Government's position on leaving the Single Market and the customs union, or certainly leaving most of the external factors of the customs union, there is an obvious risk to the invisible Border between the Republic and the North. What are the Minister's views on how we can maintain the current arrangements and what are the risks, following the British Government's announcement of a hard Brexit, to the freedom of movement we enjoy between the states in the Twenty-six Counties and the Six Counties on the island of Ireland?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 45 together.
The Government has noted the content of Prime Minister May’s speech last week and welcomed the fact that it provides greater clarity on the proposed approach of the British Government to the Brexit negotiation process.
Prime Minister May has made clear that she wishes to secure the closest possible future economic relationship for the UK with the EU, a goal that Ireland shares.
For Ireland, the priorities for the negotiation process that lies ahead are unchanged: our economic and trading arrangements; the Northern Ireland peace process, including Border issues; the common travel area; and the future of the European Union.
In her speech, Prime Minister May highlighted the specific and historic relationship between Britain and Ireland. In this context, she made clear that her priorities include maintaining the common travel area and avoiding a return to a hard Border with Northern Ireland, both of which are welcome.
The Government notes that the British approach is now firmly that of a country which will have left the EU but which seeks to negotiate a new, close relationship with the Union. The analysis across Government has covered all possible models for the future UK relationship with the EU.
When the negotiations start later in the spring, we, together with our EU partners, will face the UK across the negotiating table and will strive for a deal that everyone can accept but, more importantly, that protects Ireland’s fundamental interests. It will not be easy but we are prepared.
As part of our preparations for this process, I have carried out a round of contacts with all of my EU counterparts to make them aware of the need for specific arrangements which protect the key gains of the peace process on this island, a process to which the EU has already made a key and substantial contribution.
The Taoiseach has met with Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and other EU Heads of Government to convey Ireland’s concerns. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and I also met with the Commission’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, here in Dublin last October.
The Government is encouraged at the extent to which our concerns are understood and appreciated by our partners and by the universal desire to assist in addressing them satisfactorily. Commissioner Barnier’s clear statement in December that Irish issues would be a negotiating priority was very positive.
The Government is talking to the UK and working closely with the Commission and Council secretariat to develop concrete solutions to the issues raised and to work out how these can be achieved in the negotiations.
The Government and the British Government have reaffirmed that the Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable foundation for all engagement on Northern Ireland.
While this provides much needed reassurance, we are under no illusions about the hard work needed to deliver it.
In advance of the commencement of negotiations, the Government's engagement is being intensified in 2017. Our embassy network across the European Union is being fully deployed in support of the process, which will be assisted by the allocation of additional resources to our permanent representation in Brussels and our embassies in London, Paris and Berlin. The first plenary session of the all-island civic dialogue was held on 2 November and the process is continuing. The next plenary session will take place on 17 February. Between these two plenary meetings, 14 sectoral events involving various Government Ministers and examining specific policy areas in greater detail will also have taken place. The work of the civic dialogue process has reaffirmed the priority issues identified by the Government.
I assure the House that the Government will continue to prepare comprehensively and proactively for all dimensions of the EU-UK negotiations in pursuit of our priority concerns. In this regard, we will continue to engage with all our EU partners to highlight the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland, and the consequences for North-South co-operation on the island as a whole, which must be factored into any new relationship between the UK and the EU.
I thank the Minister for his response. From his bilateral meetings with his counterparts in Europe, is he absolutely assured that foreign ministers in Governments across the EU are absolutely clear and agree with Ireland's unique position regarding future negotiations and the unique nature of our relationship with Britain and, more importantly, with Northern Ireland, which is copperfastened under the Good Friday Agreement? I would like to get a sense of the Minister's view on it.
Prime Minister May's statement outlined a hard Brexit, which poses a great threat to us economically. We could be looking at customs, tariffs and more difficulties for trade. Ireland does €60 billion worth of trade with Britain per annum. What are the Minister's views on Commissioner Pierre Moscovici's comments that there would be no interim or phased customs arrangements and that no discussions on customs could happen until the two years has elapsed, whereas Commissioner Michel Barnier's view appears to be very different?
During recent months, I have had the opportunity to speak directly with all of my EU colleagues. There have been a number of personnel changes since then and I have arranged a number of meetings for the next few weeks in those cases. I am encouraged by the manner in which the Irish concerns have been received across the EU. I am encouraged at the appreciation, acknowledgement and understanding on the part of all my EU colleagues as to the importance of the Irish peace process to the European Union and the strong, active and positive role that was played by the EU in our negotiations leading up to the signing of the historic Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and the support the EU has provided actively towards communities in Northern Ireland and Border areas. I get a clear understanding that my colleagues appreciate the gains of the Good Friday Agreement and of peace in Ireland and that they are conscious of the fact that nothing should be done that would be adverse to the continuing peace and stability on our island.
It is encouraging in one degree. However, in light of the risks regarding the UK leaving the customs union, the Taoiseach said papers were being prepared regarding minimising customs checks. Has the Minister any idea when those papers will be published and what Departments are preparing them? I return to my question on Commissioner Moscovici's comments and where the Government stands on them. It is worrying. I am not trying to seek a better deal on behalf of Britain. I agree with the Minister's comments on this. We are part of the EU. However, there is a risk to jobs and trade here, and having conflicting comments from two very senior people who are involved in the process and who will be involved in negotiations is a concern. I would like to know the Government's view. Does the Minister agree with Commissioner Barnier's position or Commissioner Moscovici's?
I remind the Deputy that negotiations have not yet commenced. To look for the end of the story before the negotiations have even commenced is probably somewhat ambitious. I welcome what Commissioner Barnier said, when he clearly indicated his understanding of the position on the island of Ireland and, furthermore, that he is anxious that this position be "defended". I also welcome what Commissioner Moscovici has said regarding his understanding of our position going into the negotiations.
Regarding controls round the Border, I assume the Deputy is referring to customs posts or any structures that might impede the free flow of people and goods. Our priority is to maintain the invisible Border. The establishment of any type of Border controls, such as posts on the Border, or any customs arrangements, would be a regrettable step for mobility on the island. I discussed the issue as recently as last week with my colleague, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. It is in the shared interests of Ireland and the UK to ensure the invisible Border can be maintained. This will be a priority of Ireland heading into the negotiation process. We have prepared for it.
I need not remind the Deputy that the future arrangements regarding the Border will not be exclusively determined by the UK and Ireland but will be influenced by the wider negotiations between the EU 27 and the UK. We are very conscious of it and I am satisfied, so far, that there is very much an understanding on the part of our colleagues. The issue has been a focus of our talks with the UK, albeit not at negotiation level.
In light of Prime Minister May's comments that she would not seek any special deal or status for the North of Ireland, how does the Minister square that circle with regard to our view, as the Oireachtas, in the main, that the North of Ireland should have special status? The UK, and in particular Prime Minister May, have chosen to curb immigration ahead of trade and relations between them and their nearest neighbour, Ireland, and the rest of Europe. This will have to be teased out in time. Given that Secretary of State Brokenshire does not even form part of the Brexit committee, is that understood at the Prime Minister's level, based on the bilateral talks the Taoiseach has had with her, about the real risks to the economy in the North of Ireland and in Britain? I remind the British that Ireland is their fifth largest market, therefore it is in their interests that we do not put up barriers between the two countries.
I agree with the importance of the points the Deputy has stressed. I assure him and the House that the issues will be fundamental in the context of Ireland's position. I listened to Prime Minister May's speech.
While the Deputy refers to certain aspects of the speech, it is important that we keep it in context. In her Lancaster House address, she said:
We cannot forget that, as we leave, the United Kingdom will share a land border with the EU, and maintaining that common travel area with the Republic of Ireland will be an important priority for the UK in the talks ahead.
She went on to state:
[We look forward to delivering] a practical solution that allows the maintenance of the common travel area with the Republic … Nobody wants [a] to return to the borders of the past, so we will make it a priority to deliver a practical solution as soon as we can.
I would regard that as being encouraging and not a hundred miles from our position of ensuring the invisible nature of the Border and the common travel area, with particular reference to the content of the Good Friday Agreement, an internationally-lodged and legally-binding document, which, in my view, will be fundamental in this process of negotiation.
