Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
38. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent engagement with EU Commission Vice President; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19690/23]
View answerI will answer on the understanding that the Deputy is referring to European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefcovic.
I have been and remain in ongoing contact with Vice-President Šefcovic.
We met most recently in Belfast on 18 April where we discussed implementation of the Windsor Framework, and met jointly with the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group. This was a valuable opportunity to engage directly once again with the group whose input has been so important over recent years.
I also met the Commission Vice-President on 2 April while he was visiting Dublin to attend the “Sharing Peace, Sharing Futures: 25 Years of the Good Friday Agreement” in the Abbey Theatre. I took this latter opportunity to thank him and his team for their indefatigable work leading up to the adoption of the Windsor Framework.
We will remain in close contact in the period ahead as work continues on putting the joint EU-UK solutions, agreed under the Framework, into practice.
The Framework contains important benchmarks and timelines to be met and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders in Northern Ireland, in the UK and in the EU to support the full and timely implementation of the agreed solutions.
I would take the opportunity to recognise the drive, commitment and expertise of Vice-President Šefcovic and his team which has guided us to lasting solutions which comprehensively address real-life concerns raised in Northern Ireland.
