Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017
329. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of the response of the President of the European Commission for Ireland to retain its existing relationship with Britain. [5336/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Good Friday Agreement; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and working together with our partners to support the effective functioning of the European Union.
Of course, Ireland's relationship with the UK will inevitably change as a result of its departure and our objective is to minimise these potential negative impacts. It has consistently been this Government’s position that we wish to see a strong and positive future relationship between the UK and the rest of the EU, including Ireland.
The Government shares the UK’s objective of maintaining the Common Travel Area as it now stands. We also welcome the UK’s objective of achieving as close and as frictionless a trade relationship as possible with the EU after it departs.
In our meetings with other Governments at Head of State or Government or Foreign Minister level, as well as with Commission President Juncker and European Council President Tusk, the Taoiseach and I have ensured that they have a strong and sympathetic understanding of the unique historic, social, political and economic relationship between these two islands, above all as regards our shared responsibility for Northern Ireland. There is general support for addressing and resolving these issues.
It is also extremely positive that both Michel Barnier, chief Brexit negotiator for the Commission, and Guy Verhofstadt, lead for the European Parliament on Brexit, have highlighted the need to address Ireland’s specific concerns as a priority in the upcoming negotiations.
We will continue to build on this excellent start throughout the negotiations. Of course, much will depend on the final outcome of the wider EU-UK negotiations.
