Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Brexit negotiations continue to safeguard the interests of all persons on the island of Ireland, including the continued observance of the Good Friday Agreement in all aspects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4400/19]
View answerThe Article 50 negotiations concluded in November 2018 with the publication of the Withdrawal Agreement, which has been endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the British Government. An integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement is the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which also contains the backstop provisions. The Agreement, with its backstop provisions, is the only agreement on the table that provides the essential legal guarantee to avoid a hard border in any circumstances and protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.
In addition to the guarantee on avoiding a hard border in all circumstances, the Protocol contains provisions on a number of important areas for Ireland, including provision for the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, that North-South cooperation can continue and develop, and that the Single Electricity Market will be maintained on the island of Ireland. It also includes commitments to ensure no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in the Good Friday Agreement and confirms that people in Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy their rights as EU citizens. The Protocol also makes clear that these arrangements fully respect the constitutional status of Northern Ireland and the principle of consent under the Good Friday Agreement. All of this is aimed at ensuring that the impact of Brexit on the everyday lives of people, both North and South, is minimised and that the status quo on the island is protected.
The negotiations have been difficult and long, with flexibility and compromise shown on both sides. The European Council in December and the joint letter from Presidents Tusk and Juncker have provided important reassurances with regard to the backstop. They have also made clear that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be renegotiated and that the EU will not agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with it. We remain fully of the view that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal that fully protects the interests of everyone on the island of Ireland is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the British Government.
