Micheál Martin
Question:107. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met EU leaders when he was in Brussels; and if he held other meetings after or before he met Mr. Donald Tusk. [7057/19]
View answerTuesday, 12 February 2019
Questions (107, 110)
Lisa Chambers
Question:110. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meetings in Brussels with Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker and Mr. Donald Tusk and, in particular, the issues raised in respect of Brexit and state aid rules. [7125/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 110 together.
On 6 February, I travelled to Brussels for a series of meetings with senior representatives of the EU institutions, including European Council President, Donald Tusk, and European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker.
President Tusk and I discussed the latest political developments in London, and noted the approaching deadline for the UK’s departure from the EU. We agreed that the Withdrawal Agreement is the best and only deal possible and that it cannot be reopened.
While we hope that the backstop will never be used, it is needed as a legal guarantee to ensure there is no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland, while protecting the integrity of the Single Market and the Customs Union.
In my meeting with President Juncker, at which he was accompanied by Union negotiator Michel Barnier and Commissioner Hogan, he also reiterated his firm view that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop, is not for re-negotiation.
We agreed that, while we will continue to seek agreement on the orderly withdrawal of the UK, given the ongoing uncertainty in London, we will also further intensify our preparations for a no-deal scenario.
President Juncker confirmed that the Commission stands ready to assist Ireland in meeting the specific challenges we face as a result of Brexit – particularly in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, agribusiness and fisheries. He also confirmed that programmes providing assistance for cross-border peace and reconciliation in the border region will be strengthened.
We agreed that Ireland and the Commission will continue to work closely together over the period ahead.
I thanked my interlocutors for their unwavering commitment and noted that, as a small country, this strong solidarity resonates deeply in Ireland.