Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
22. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Windsor Framework agreed between the European Union and the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19494/23]
View answer24. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the implementation of the Windsor Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19598/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 24 together.
On 24 March, the EU-UK Joint Committee which oversees the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement met to formally adopt the Windsor Framework. This finalised the agreement in principle announced by Commission President von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Sunak on 27 February
The focus is now on the implementation of the agreed solutions.
A meeting of the EU-UK Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework will take place later today, where there will be an update on progress made to date, including on the required legislation at EU level. This Specialised Committee under the Withdrawal Agreement is the formal EU-UK structure for the implementation of the Windsor Framework and will continue to meet regularly through the implementation phase. Ireland is represented at official level in this Specialised Committee.
The Windsor Framework comprehensively addresses the real-life concerns raised by people and business in Northern Ireland. The Framework provides solutions in particular to issues around the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, based on a balance of facilitations and safeguards to be implemented in a phased basis over the coming years.
It is critical that the agreed benchmarks are met and that the Framework is implemented fully and in good faith. In this context, I am in regular contact with stakeholders in Northern Ireland, our counterparts in the UK and our partners across the EU.
I am, in particular, in close contact with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris and with European Commission Vice President Sefcovic who is leading on the implementation of the Framework for the EU side. I met both last week on the margins of the Queen's University conference in Belfast.
On that occasion, Commission Vice-President Šefcovic and I met jointly with the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group to hear their views and discuss implementation of the Framework. The practical insight of stakeholders in Northern Ireland has been very valuable over recent years and will be critical in the implementation phase ahead. We heard clearly from business representatives on the importance for Northern Ireland of the full and timely implementation of the agreed solutions.
It is very clear from speaking with all stakeholders in Northern Ireland that the Framework provides welcome certainty and predictability for businesses and communities. It presents Northern Ireland with unique economic opportunities, given its access to both the UK’s internal market as well as the EU’s single market.
At the events last week in Belfast to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, it was clear to me that people and businesses in Northern Ireland want to get on with making the most of the opportunities that the Framework presents for Northern Ireland, including for attracting investment into Northern Ireland, in light of strong interest from the US, EU and other international partners.
I remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland to encourage the return to a functioning Assembly and Executive, and also with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to discuss how best to achieve this shared goal.
The Framework is a clear example of the EU and UK successfully working together to find joint solutions. It is vital that this partnership approach is continued through the implementation phase which is now underway.
Across the EU, support for the Framework is clear. I speak regularly with my EU counterparts who continue to support the peace process in Northern Ireland. Minister of State Burke attended the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 21 March, where EU Member States gave their backing to the agreed solutions of the Framework.
I am hopeful that agreement on the Framework can mark the beginning of a new, more cooperative phase in the EU-UK relationship.
