Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he can find it possible to foster improved Ireland-UK relations through the medium of the isolation and resolution of Brexit-related issues within the context of the EU-UK agreement and protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34209/21]
View answerFollowing the UK’s departure from the European Union and the end of the Transition period, we are working closely with our EU partners to support the development of the EU-UK relationship and full implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and Withdrawal Agreement. At the same time, we are working to strengthen British-Irish relations insofar as possible, given the depth and importance of our relationship, in terms of our people, our prosperity and peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Ireland, as part of the EU, will play its full part in realising the potential of the TCA and the Withdrawal Agreement – including the Withdrawal Agreement’s Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. The effective and full implementation of the agreements is a priority for Ireland and the EU. The TCA allows cooperation with the UK to continue in a range of key areas, establishing a substantial framework for continued engagement. While it does not replicate the status quo ante, it does provide for tariff and quota free trade for qualifying goods between our respective markets – ensuring that Ireland and the UK will remain strongly connected as trade partners.
The full implementation of the Protocol, which forms part of an EU-UK agreement, is important to Ireland in terms of our core objectives in relation to minimising the negative impact of Brexit on the island of Ireland, including safeguarding the Good Friday Agreement, avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, and protecting the Single Market, and Ireland’s place in it.
Our shared goal must be the full implementation of the Protocol to minimise the disruption caused by Brexit in Northern Ireland. Achieving the smooth and sustainable operation of the Protocol will also contribute significantly to improved EU-UK relations. Ireland will do all it can as an EU member state in support of that goal.
In this context, and while taking full account of developments in EU-UK relations and the areas where EU legal competence applies, we continue our bilateral engagement, including through the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement; and by investing in our capacity and relationships right across the UK. The British Irish Council Summit on 11 June and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference taking place today are important in this regard, as was the Taoiseach’s meeting with the UK Prime Minister in May and my own visits to London in April and June. In terms of ongoing investment, we agreed new bilateral frameworks for cooperation with the devolved administrations in Cardiff and Edinburgh earlier this year. Additionally, I look forward to officially opening our new Consulate General in Manchester and our re-established Consulate General in Cardiff in the coming months.
I remain ambitious for the British-Irish bilateral relationship - and the full implementation of the TCA and the Withdrawal Agreement will provide the best possible basis for the growth and development of that relationship into the future.
