Gerry Adams
Question:81. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will provide the documentation regarding the agreement he referred to with the British Government that there will be no return to the Border of the past. [8714/17]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017
81. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will provide the documentation regarding the agreement he referred to with the British Government that there will be no return to the Border of the past. [8714/17]
View answerAs I have stated publicly, the Irish Government will oppose a hard border, argue for free movement on this island, seek EU funding for cross-border projects and protect the rights of EU citizens, whether from North or South.
It is a matter of vital national interest for Ireland that we do not return to the days of a hard border, or indeed create a new one in the future.
This is a political matter, not a legal or technical matter - it will have to be solved by political leadership and will require creativity, imagination and innovation.
In all of our discussions with the UK Government we have emphasised the necessity of ensuring the continued free flow of trade on the island and the need to avoid a hard border and have made clear that any manifestation of a hard border would have very negative consequences.