Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent statement by the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, following the British Government meeting last Friday regarding Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32042/18]
View answerAt its meeting at Chequers, the UK Government reached internal agreement on its approach to the future EU-UK relationship. The detail of this position will be set out in a White Paper, due to be published today.
Ireland will consider these proposals with its EU partners, guided by the mandate provided by the European Council in March. Taking account of an assessment of the proposals by Michel Barnier and his team, there will be an opportunity to exchange views among the EU27 at the forthcoming meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 20 July. This meeting will also take stock of the negotiation following the latest round which is scheduled to take place during week beginning 16 July.
Ireland's position is that we want to see the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK. At the same time, it is vital to our economic interests that the EU's Single Market is fully protected. It would not be good for Irish businesses and investment if the UK gained a competitive advantage as a result of Brexit.
On the backstop for the border, our position remains clear. While our preference is still for an overall EU-UK relationship which would resolve all issues, it remains essential that a backstop is agreed which provides certainty that in any circumstances, and no matter what the outcome of the negotiations on the EU-UK future relationship, a hard border will be avoided.
The European Council made it very clear last month that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, warning that there can be no Withdrawal Agreement, and therefore no transition, without an agreement on the backstop.
What is needed now is for the negotiations to be intensified. Time is short. It is hoped that the UK’s proposals on the future relationship as agreed by the British cabinet will help the overall negotiations to move forward and to agree the backstop.
