Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2019
53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council regarding Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18292/19]
View answerBrexit was not on the agenda of the most recent Foreign Affairs Council on 8 April. However, it was discussed at the General Affairs Council (Article 50) on 9 April, which I attended together with Minister of State McEntee. At that meeting, the Ministers prepared the agenda for the European Council the following day. In light of Prime Minister May's letter of 5 April, Ministers considered the UK's request for a further extension to the Article 50 process.
On 10 April the European Council agreed to extend the date of the UK's departure from the European Union until 31 October. However, should the UK ratify the Withdrawal Agreement before then, it will leave the EU on the first day of the following month. One of the conditions of the extension is that the UK must now hold European Parliamentary elections. If it does not, the UK will leave the EU on 1 June.
The Government welcomes the decision of the European Council, which provides the UK more time to ensure an orderly withdrawal. Of course, the UK retains the right to revoke its Article 50 notification at any time.
The European Council made clear again that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop, cannot be re-negotiated, and that any unilateral commitments by the UK Government should be compatible with the letter and the spirit of the Withdrawal Agreement. We welcome these important assertions.
The European Council also made clear that this time cannot be used to begin negotiations on the future relationship, which will begin once the withdrawal has taken place. Hoevever, importantly, should the position of the UK evolve, then the EU would be prepared to reconsider the Political Declaration on the future relationship.
Throughout the duration of the extension, the UK will remain a full member of the EU. We welcome the UK’s commitment to act in a responsible and constructive way during the extension. This commitment is important as we must safeguard the effective functioning of the EU. The EU27 can therefore discuss matters related to long term decisions without the UK.
Responsibility for avoiding a no deal Brexit now firmly lies with the UK . We hope that the ongoing process between the UK Government and the main opposition, the Labour Party, will lead to a positive outcome and an orderly withdrawal.
