Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2017
28. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of his negotiations particularly those relating to the Border region of Cavan and Monaghan in view of Brexit and the possible reintroduction of a hard border. [39770/17]
View answer38. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consideration that has been given at Government and EU level to the creation of a special economic zone in Northern Ireland and the Border counties in view of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39892/17]
View answer40. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the comments made by Michel Barnier that the Border cannot be used as a test case for an EU-UK border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39849/17]
View answer44. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that is being made regarding Border solutions and Brexit; if specific provisions will be made for Brexit related issues in his Department's budget for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39700/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 38, 40 and 44 together.
Since taking up office, engagement on Brexit with EU partners has been a central element of my work. This approach has yielded clear results in ensuring that Ireland’s unique issues and concerns have been fully understood by our EU27 partners and have been reflected in the EU’s negotiating position. As the negotiations enter an important phase over the coming weeks and months, continuing such engagement with EU partners, both at political and official level, will remain a key priority. On Monday 4 September, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade met with Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator on Brexit, and his team. During our discussion, Minister Coveney thanked Mr. Barnier for pursuing Ireland’s unique interests in the Brexit negotiations and for the high level of engagement that Ireland enjoys with his team. It was agreed that, while good progress was made in the last round of negotiations on the Common Travel Area, more detailed work is required on protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the peace process, including in regard to North South cooperation and to avoiding a hard border, as well as other issues such as protecting the EU rights of Irish citizens in Northern Ireland. Overall, Minister Coveney welcomed the indications that EU and UK objectives on the Irish issues are converging but noted that the UK needs to back this up with tangible commitments that can pave the way for practical solutions.
Following this meeting, on 7 September, the European Commission Taskforce published a paper on “Guiding Principles for the Dialogue on Ireland/Northern Ireland”, building on the European Council Guidelines agreed earlier this year. This paper reflects the priority Irish issues identified by the Government, including the complex issue of the border, and makes it clear that it is the UK’s responsibility to propose workable solutions in this regard. It is the Government’s view that the UK staying in the customs union and single market, or as close as possible to that, would be the best solution.
In all of our engagements, the Government has laid particular emphasis on Ireland’s objective of protecting the gains of the peace process and avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland. The Government has been clear on the unique nature of the circumstances on the island of Ireland and this point has been echoed by Mr Barnier. We are acutely aware of the potential impact of Brexit on the border region and on people living there. In emphasising the need for imaginative and flexible political solutions for the island of Ireland, the Government has been equally clear that we will only pursue solutions that are compatible with our aim of protecting the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it. Minister Coveney and I will continue to deliver this message in our engagements in the coming weeks and months.
With respect to the creation of a special economic zone, as Minister Coveney has previously indicated to Deputy Martin, the Government is open to careful consideration of any approach or proposal that makes sense for progressing such a fundamental matter as the future of relations between Ireland and the UK. Apart from the UK, Ireland is the country most vulnerable to the effects of Brexit and it is everyone’s interests that we maintain an openness to new ideas and proposals.
In relation to specific provision for Brexit in the budget for 2018, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the 2018 estimates process. The 2018 allocation will be announced by the Finance Minister on budget day.
