Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
126. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met with or spoken to the British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Mr. Stephen Barclay, MP, recently; if they discussed the most recent comments by Mr. Barclay on the extension of Article 50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4046/19]
View answerBrexit is a priority issue for this Government and the Taoiseach, and my cabinet colleagues and I have taken every opportunity to engage with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities.
I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with UK Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, Mr. Stephen Barclay, MP, though I have spoken with him by phone following his appointment late last year.
I maintain frequent contact with UK Ministers. Over the course of the last several months, I have met with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Dominic Raab during his time as UK Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, and David Lidington, the UK Minister of the Cabinet Office, with whom I remain in regular contact.
With regard to the extension of Article 50, the EU can only consider this following a formal request from the UK. The EU would need to carefully consider a request and the basis on which it was made. However, Ireland would be open to such a request, as, I believe would EU partners, if it would contribute to reaching a resolution.
Ultimately, what we need from the UK is clarity on how it proposes to move forward.
