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Cyprus Reunification

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2016

Wednesday, 26 October 2016

Ceisteanna (8)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

8. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus. [32050/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (7 píosaí cainte)

I had a meeting last Tuesday in Government Buildings with President Anastasiades of Cyprus during the course of his state visit to Ireland. He updated me on the current political situation in Cyprus and the progress in the talks with the leader of the Turkish community, Mr. Mustafa Akinci. There are hopes for a positive outcome by the end of the year.

I ask this question because there are a lot of similarities, although not exact, between the two countries. We are both island people, we are both partitioned and our nearest neighbours make claims on our sovereignty and so on. As I understand it, Cyprus has a special relationship with the EU. I wonder if the Taoiseach had the opportunity to tease any of that out. In our own situation, we have proposed that a special committee be established under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council to harmonise and maximise all-Ireland co-operation. We have also proposed the establishment of a Border economic development zone to harmonise trade and maximise returns for Border businesses. We have argued for additional investment in the A5 and the Narrow Water Bridge to be matched by the Northern Executive. I am looking to learn from the situation in Cyprus. Was the Taoiseach able to develop any dialogue with the president which would help us as we face into the challenges in the time ahead?

I have had occasion to meet President Anastasiades on many occasions at the EU Council meetings. I know him well. Sometimes the seating arrangements are such that I sit beside him at some of these meetings. I have discussed the question of northern Cyprus with him on many occasions. He is well-acquainted with the situation here in so far as the Border is concerned. We discussed last week what is going to happen in terms of his negotiations with Turkey in respect of northern Cyprus and the kind of situation that will arise in terms of borders, cross-border activity, movement of people and so on. Clearly, he has made good progress with his counterparts. They are hopeful that, after very many years, the situation in Cyprus could be regularised. However, it is too soon to confirm that.

As we are both members of the same political grouping within the European Parliament, I also have occasion to meet him in that regard. He is well aware of the assistance that Europe has been making available to Ireland in our peace process. I discussed that with him as well as the relevance and the value of European support for cross-border communities, particularly fragile communities that are, as the Deputy often points out, coming out of a conflict situation after many years and need to be able to continue in peace. My most recent conversation with him was in Áras an Uachtaráin when he called to see President Higgins and we had a brief discussion there about his hopes for the future discussions that he is having with the Turkish representatives on finally bringing the long-running divide of Cyprus to a conclusion. There are a number of similarities. He is interested in any progress that Ireland makes and we have an ongoing contact in that regard.

I am trying to think a wee bit outside the box. Is there space for more co-operation between society and Government here with other states such as Cyprus? Perhaps the Government here prefers to deal with the British Government. Is there space to build up co-operation or common cause with people in Scotland or Wales as we face up to the challenges ahead? Has the Government given any consideration to being part of an ad hoc arrangement as we face into the future?

Does the Deputy mean with Wales and Scotland?

I mean with Wales, Scotland, Cyprus or other European states as well.

As the Deputy knows, we have the British-Irish Council that meets on a six-monthly basis. It includes Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and so on. That is a useful forum for discussing some things. One of the issues that was raised at the last meeting was the fact that some of the islands' allegiance is not to Downing Street or the European Parliament, but to the crown. If one proceeds down that line, what is the right of any of the Channel Islands if they do not agree with an arrangement? I am not sure that there is either a constitutional or legal response to that. It is a useful forum and it is going to meet again fairly soon. As Brexit begins to proceed it will become a source of even more focus from all of those states. It is attended by the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the First Minister from Scotland, the First Minister from Wales, myself and whoever can from the British Government. It gives that sort of north, south, east and west engagement at a political level. I find it to be a useful forum. If it was necessary, it could meet once a quarter during this period. That might be possible. It is a matter for the executive to decide whether it would be worthwhile doing that or not. I am all for co-operation. Clearly, Scotland is in a different position to Wales and Wales is in a different position to Northern Ireland in the way they voted on Brexit.

However, it is the totality of the vote that the British Government states is the decision. Given that Brexit is now irreversible we must deal with the consequences of the decision of the electorate. In this sense we are preparing all of these strategies and various contingencies. Until such time as we are clear what it is we must negotiate with the British Government we will get on with our business of looking after our citizens, our economy, our jobs, the issues of credit, new markets for our exporters abroad and greater assistance for Enterprise Ireland, which continues to be a strong advocate for investment in the country. Yesterday, the Government approved a process of competing for the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency to be located in Ireland. We have as good a chance as anybody else. These things are all there to be won, because they will make decisions to move and they want to know to where they will move. This collaboration is always important and we will continue it.

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