Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2017
184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions he has had with the British Foreign Secretary in relation to access to the Court of Justice of the European Union and other guarantees of fundamental rights that underpin the Good Friday Agreement in any post-Article 50 agreement between Britain and the EU. [5548/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UK’s decision to leave the European Union did not change the status of the Good Friday Agreement nor did it alter the existing legal and political obligations of both the Irish and British Governments under the Agreement as they relate to human rights. Specifically, the continuing obligation of the British Government to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into Northern Ireland law was unaffected by the outcome of the UK referendum.
The EU-UK negotiations have not yet begun. When these negotiations start, the Government will pursue, together with our EU partners, an outcome that protects our headline priorities and Ireland’s fundamental interests, including in relation to Northern Ireland and the peace process. We are not under any illusions about the challenge and complexity of these negotiations and are engaged in detailed planning to prepare for them.
The Irish and British Governments are agreed that the Good Friday Agreement is and will remain the foundation for cooperation between both Governments on Northern Ireland. This was re-affirmed in the Taoiseach’s meeting with Prime Minister May on 30 January. The two Governments are agreed that all aspects of the Agreement will need to be upheld throughout the UK’s exit process, and in the final arrangements between the United Kingdom and the EU. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined that all aspects of the Agreement – including its provisions on Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity – are fully protected under any new relationship between the EU and the UK.
As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government takes very seriously its responsibility to safeguard its institutions and principles. In this regard, as part of the All-Island Civic Dialogue, I have convened a sectoral civic dialogue on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement on 13 February, to hear from those directly involved in work that relies on the human rights frameworks and protections of the Agreement.
