Niamh Smyth
Question:104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of his Department's discussions on Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48120/18]
View answerTuesday, 20 November 2018
Questions (104, 125)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions with Mr. Michel Barnier with regard to the Brexit deal. [48407/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 125 together.
Last week, the draft text for the Withdrawal Agreement was agreed by the EU and UK negotiating teams and subsequently accepted by the UK cabinet. This is an important and welcome breakthrough in the Brexit process. It would not have been achieved without the commitment and professionalism of EU and the UK negotiators who have worked intensively over many months to reach this outcome.
The Government, at both political and official levels, has remained in intensive contact with Michel Barnier and the EU Taskforce, and with other Member States throughout the process, and this will continue. We have also maintained very good channels of communication with British counterparts.
Yesterday I attended a General Affairs Council (Article 50) and expressed my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Michel Barnier and the EU Task Force for their tireless efforts, and to our fellow EU27 Member States who have consistently demonstrated solidarity and understanding for our concerns throughout this process. They understand that the importance of avoiding a hard border is not about concerns over the economic fallout, but about the harm it would bring to communities across Ireland and Northern Ireland, setting back the gains of the peace process considerably.
On Sunday 25 November, there will be a European Council to sign off on the finalised Withdrawal Agreement. This agreement fully achieves our priorities at this stage, and we will support it.
This is an important step, but still only a step, on a much larger journey. It is important to us to secure the deepest and most comprehensive relationship possible with the UK following its withdrawal from the EU. It is only through that relationship that we can secure the trade and other interests that are important to Ireland, the UK, and our EU partners.
None of this can be taken for granted, however.
Brexit will bring real changes for Ireland. My Department leads co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. It is in continuous contact with all government Departments and State Agencies to advance work our preparedness and contingency planning to ensure that Ireland is Brexit ready.
Given the impact of Brexit across all levels of society, the Government has also been engaged in substantial public communications campaign on Brexit preparedness. Our “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” campaign will continue over the coming weeks to build further awareness among the public and key sectoral audiences on the steps being taken by Government, and the various financial and other supports that are available to assist with Brexit preparedness.