Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2017
103. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if his officials have commenced work on reviewing the necessity of the technical and legal disentanglements that will be required between the north and south of the island in the context of the Brexit negotiations; and the other Departments that are involved. [25945/17]
View answerNorthern Ireland remains a key priority for the Irish Government.
The interests of the island as a whole and protecting the gains of the peace process remain a priority for the Government in the upcoming Brexit negotiations, as we have stated clearly all along.
There has been on going engagement between North and South on Brexit however this has been difficult in the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive. It is critically important to see devolved Government restored and working effectively in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland, in particular in the context of Brexit.
There is ongoing analysis of all Brexit related issues across Government Departments on the full range of impacts including potential impacts on North/South including technical & legal aspects. This work is being co-ordinated through the Cabinet Committee on Brexit and the Interdepartmental Group on Brexit.
The EU guidelines for the negotiations include very strong acknowledgement of our unique circumstances and the need to protect the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. They provide that existing bilateral agreements and arrangements between the United Kingdom and Ireland, which are compatible with EU law, should be recognised.
The Irish Government wishes to see the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK as an outcome of the negotiations and is fully committed to membership of the EU while maintaining close bilateral relations with the UK and protecting all parts of the Good Friday Agreement, including North/South Co-operation.
Ireland is not leaving the EU and remains fully committed to our membership of the EU. We will be very much part of the EU team in negotiations ahead. The negotiations on withdrawal of UK from the EU have not yet started therefore we cannot pre-empt the outcome at this stage.
