I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 170, inclusive, together.
The Government’s preparations for the upcoming negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU have been extensive. From the outset of our preparations we have been clear about our priorities, which remain: minimising the impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and influencing the future of the European Union.
A critical part of our work is ensuring that our priorities are heard and understood across Europe and are reflected in the EU’s position for the forthcoming negotiations. To that end, an extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions, including the European Commission’s Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way. To date, there has been over 60 engagements at either political or senior official level.
The Taoiseach is in regular contact with EU leaders and travelled to Madrid last week for a meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister. He will visit Warsaw on 9 February for a meeting with the Polish Prime Minister. For my own part, I have spoken with each of my EU Foreign Minister counterparts in the period immediately following the result of the referendum in the UK. I have now began a second round of discussions with my EU colleagues. Most recently, I met with the Spanish Foreign Minister and I am planning to have bilateral discussions with my Luxembourg and Finnish counterpart in the weeks ahead. Minister of State Murphy is visiting Romania and Greece on 30 January to 1 February while meetings with France, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania at senior official level will take place in the coming weeks.
Engagement with the European Commission’s Task Force on Brexit and the Commission’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has also been a central part of the Government’s programme of engagement. The Government’s position on Brexit was outlined in meetings with Mr. Barnier in Dublin on 12 October. Engagement with the Commission’s Task Force at a technical level has been regular and is ongoing. There have been a number of exchanges on key aspects of the negotiations process and the Irish-specific aspects, including on the Common Travel Area and on border issues.
Feedback to date from this comprehensive engagement has been very encouraging. There is as sound understanding among EU partners of the unique circumstances which pertain on this island and a strong willingness and openness to work closely with Ireland on addressing our issues. As a clear demonstration that the Government’s efforts are working, I would note that in his first official comments, Michel Barnier, the lead negotiator for the Commission, highlighted the need to address Ireland’s issues.
