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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021

Thursday, 24 June 2021

Questions (119, 136, 151, 154)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

119. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33702/21]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

136. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33047/21]

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James Lawless

Question:

151. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the implementation of the agreement relating to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33701/21]

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John Lahart

Question:

154. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the government of the United Kingdom is acting in good faith in the implementation of international treaties with the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33709/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 136, 151 and 154 together.

The Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland is an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement. It was jointly negotiated, and jointly agreed, by the EU and the UK – the result of a painstaking process which took more than four years, during which a whole host of options were explored. Ultimately, the Protocol was - and is - the only solution found to the problems caused by Brexit for the island of Ireland.

It is important to reiterate that the Protocol makes no change to the constitutional status of Northern Ireland as set down in the Good Friday Agreement. The Protocol prevents a hard border on this island and protects the gains of the Good Friday Agreement.

As a jointly negotiated agreement, it now needs to be jointly implemented, in good faith. There are undoubtedly challenges. Earlier this month, the Joint Committee – the proper forum for discussion regarding implementation – came together to take stock of progress to date and give consideration to the identified issues of concern. EU and UK officials continue to work on developing solutions to these outstanding issues. It is important that process continue and be encouraged.

Working together like this is the only path to sustainable solutions. Unilateral actions on sensitive issues in Northern Ireland never work. UK unilateral actions taken to date have damaged trust. The UK and EU must work together to find pragmatic solutions. In that regard I am encouraged by the decision of the UK Government to seek EU agreement on extending the grace period on chilled meat products. Vice President Šefcovic, speaking last Friday in Bruges, welcomed this request, which is currently being assessed. Requesting the extension recognises that the Protocol is jointly owned and is to be jointly implemented.

The European Union continues to show that it is a willing partner. The UK must show its willingness by honouring the commitments to which it has already signed up, which it negotiated, agreed, campaigned on, and ratified through its parliament.

There are options to reduce the burden on businesses. An SPS agreement, even on a temporary basis, would offer a clear win and has broad support in Northern Ireland. This could reduce the level of checks on agri-food products travelling from GB to NI by up to 80% - this is a prize worth fighting for. US interlocutors have been clear that such an agreement would not stand in the way of a UK-US trade deal. People right across the political, business, retail, and farming sectors in Northern Ireland have made clear that they favour such an agreement. The EU Commission has said it could be put in place within weeks. It would be a simple, concrete and popular step.

It is clear that the politics of Brexit are proving to be corrosive to the already very sensitive situation in Northern Ireland, polarising opinion and increasing tensions. I want us to get to a place where the implementation of the Protocol is fully realised in a way that works for Northern Ireland. We all have a responsibility to listen to the concerns and engage with citizens, businesses, politicians and community leaders in the North.

There is also an onus on leaders and politicians to engage openly and honestly with citizens, businesses, politicians, and community leaders to explain the context of the Protocol - and to be clear and honest that the alternative to the Protocol is not life as it was before Brexit, but a scenario of much deeper and more difficult disruption.

There is no easy alternative to the problems caused by Brexit on the island of Ireland. We spent four years exploring other options without success.  While Brexit has inevitably meant change for businesses, and sometimes difficult change, there are also significant potential opportunities for Northern Ireland through the Protocol, with open access to the rest of the UK internal market and to the entire EU Single Market of more than 450 million people.

There is evidence of increased interest in Northern Ireland as an investment location - but stability and certainty are needed to help realise that potential. I will continue to do all I can to encourage pragmatic engagement on the implementation of the Protocol and to underpin peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.

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