Seanad Brexit Committee to meet Minister Coveney for update on Withdrawal Agreement and Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

The Committee of Senators meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House will hear an update on the Withdrawal Agreement and Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the Trade and Co-Operation Agreement (TCA) between the EU and UK.

Committee Cathaoirleach Senator Lisa Chambers said: “Following our interesting and informative engagement with EU Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič on the current discussions between the EU and UK on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, the Protocol and the TCA, the Committee looks forward to hearing from Minister Coveney on these matters.

“The Minister has been forthright in expressing Ireland’s genuine concerns around the recent approach to the Protocol by the UK Government and British ministers’ threats to trigger Article 16, with all the implications that could have for citizens and businesses here on the Island, and on relations between the EU and UK and the Irish and British governments.

“While there appears to be a more optimistic tone to the EU-UK discussions in recent days, the Committee remains concerned, particularly for relations within Northern Ireland and between North and South, should these discussions fail to address the issues around the implementation of the Protocol or see unilateral action by the UK government.”

The meeting in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.