Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
590. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she continues to emphasise the importance of the need to establish the benefit of the Single Market in every respect for the island of Ireland without any diminution of Ireland's status with the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14780/17]
View answerIreland remains a strong and committed member of the EU, and as such I would emphasise that we will continue to retain full access to the Single Market, which is of enormous benefit to Irish businesses and consumers. It should be remembered that this will continue to give Ireland access to a market of 450 million people, even after the UK’s departure.
While Government is working to ensure a close future trading relationship between the UK and the EU, our position is that access to the Single Market must be on the basis of all four freedoms – free movement of goods, services, capital and people. The EU's Guidelines for the upcoming negotiations with the UK make it clear that there can be no "cherry-picking" of individual aspects of the Single Market.
Ireland has consistently advocated greater progress being made in further strengthening the Single Market, and this will be especially important once the UK becomes a competitor on the EU's doorstep. As recently as November last, I led an initiative where my Ministerial counterparts from nine other Member States and I signed a joint letter to President Juncker calling on the European Commission to be ambitious in advancing the Single Market for services. This demonstrates the positive influence that Ireland can bring to shaping the future success of the Single Market, through building alliances with a wide range of Member States across the Union, and which can ultimately enhance the benefits accruing to Irish businesses and consumers.
