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Northern Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021

Thursday, 24 June 2021

Questions (257)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of discussions he has had with the leader of the DUP and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with regard to the impact of Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocol and the degree to which all parties have seen possibilities for resolution of outstanding issues arising from Brexit. [27952/21]

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Written answers

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was negotiated and agreed by the EU and the UK to address the complex set of challenges presented by Brexit on the island of Ireland. An integral part of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, the Protocol is the agreed way to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement, to avoid a hard border, and protect the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place within it.

I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and other British Government Ministers, including the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, Lord Frost, on issues related to Northern Ireland, including implementation of the Protocol. I am also in regular and ongoing contact with political leaders in Northern Ireland on these issues.

Throughout these engagements, I have continued to make clear that our shared goal must be full implementation of the Protocol to minimise the disruption caused by Brexit in Northern Ireland. I have welcomed the ongoing engagement between the EU and the UK on outstanding issues and stressed the need for these issues to be dealt with by the UK and the EU working together, in partnership.

I also continue to listen carefully to the genuine concerns that are there and will continue to advocate for appropriate flexibilities with regard to implementation within the framework of the Protocol so that the negative impact of Brexit on the people of Northern Ireland is minimised. This has always been the aim of the Protocol: to minimise the disruption which Brexit was inevitably going to cause for Northern Ireland.

We should also note opportunities presented by the Protocol for Northern Ireland – unique, full access to both the UK internal market and the EU Single Market of 450 million people. This presents real opportunities for trade, for inward investment, and for jobs which would benefit all communities in Northern Ireland. Politicians and stakeholders from across these islands should be highlighting that and helping to fully exploit these opportunities to improve prosperity across Northern Ireland.

In terms of the recent political developments in Northern Ireland, including within the DUP, I look forward to working with the next leader of the DUP, with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and with all the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive, for the benefit of people in Northern Ireland.

It is important to note that North South co-operation, a central part of the Good Friday Agreement, is protected under the Protocol. The North South Ministerial Council brings our Government and the Northern Ireland Executive together to oversee and further develop this co-operation. While I regret that last week’s Council plenary was postponed, I look forward to a rescheduled meeting of the Council in the period ahead.

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