Ministerial Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Questions (509, 510)

Michael Collins

Question:

509. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the briefings and the number of briefings he had with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his officials (details supplied) in advance of his meetings with President Macron of France and the German Chancellor, Mrs. Angela Merkel in December 2020 as part of his Brexit talks meeting schedule; if a copy of any such briefing documents, the dates on which these briefings took place and the persons present at such meetings will be made available to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21543/21]

Michael Collins

Question:

510. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of engagement he had with a person (details supplied) on 5 December 2020 on the matters pertaining to marine and fisheries alone; if he will provide details of the discussions and conclusions reached on marine and fisheries matters at those talks as part of his engagement with the French leader in advance of the Brexit deal of 24 December 2020; if he will further make available any position paper or proposals he presented or received on that day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21544/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 510 together.

I did not meet either President Macron or Chancellor Merkel in December 2020, and as such, no briefing material exists.

Throughout the negotiations process that led to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Ireland stayed in close contact with other EU Member States and the Commission. This included engagements I held with my counterparts, including with the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany in visits during December 2020. The technical detail of the negotiations were a matter for the European Commission and the United Kingdom Government, represented respectively by chief negotiators Michel Barnier and David Frost.

In engagements with EU partners throughout the negotiating process, I repeatedly raised the disproportionate impact of Ireland's fishers of the UK's departure from the EU.

The Government is keenly aware that the terms of the TCA present real challenges for our fishers and the communities that they are at the heart of. We continue to engage with these stakeholders and remain committed to supporting them through these challenges.

Question No. 511 answered with Question No. 507.