Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2017
522. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the negotiations he has held with his counterparts across the EU and UK regarding Brexit and the maintaining of the open skies policy to ensure aviation connectivity. [25638/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe opening of negotiations with the UK regarding their exit from the EU commenced on the 19th of June. The Government has been clear that its approach is aimed at minimising the impact of Brexit on our trade and economy and an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU. The Government recognises that there is a desire to have clarity and certainty on every detail of the future EU-UK relationship as quickly as possible. However, we also need to be realistic about the process we are heading into, and the time it will take to reach a full conclusion.
It is too early in the Brexit process to speculate in any detail on the possible impacts or outcomes in areas such as the Single Aviation Market. These questions relate primarily to the future relationship of the EU and the UK and negotiations on such matters have not yet begun. When they do begin Ireland will be ready for those negotiations and the necessary preparations and consultations are underway.
I have had a number of meetings with my EU counterparts, UK counterparts and the European Commissioner on Brexit, most recently at the Transport Council in Luxembourg earlier this month. These meetings were very useful in promoting an understanding of transport and tourism Brexit implications for Ireland, including the potential implications for the open skies policy and connectivity. Details of these meetings are summarised in tabular form:
|
Date |
Name of Minister/EU Official |
Role/title |
Country/Institution |
Subject of meeting |
|
12/12/16 |
Minister Chris Hazzard |
Minister for Infrastructure |
Northern Ireland Executive |
NS MC matters and Brexit |
|
04/04/17 |
Prof. Péter Balázs |
European Coordinator for the North Sea Med Corridor Connecting Europe Facility Core Corridor |
EU: European Commission |
Implications of Brexit on TEN-T |
|
25/05/17 |
Minister Anna Johansson |
Minister for Infrastructure |
Sweden |
Brexit, Road safety |
|
26/05/17 |
Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling |
Secretary of State, Department for Transport |
UK |
Brexit |
|
08/06/17 |
Commissioner Violeta Bulc |
European Commissioner for Transport |
EU: European Commission |
Brexit and European Issues |
|
08/06/17 |
Jörg Leichtfried |
Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology |
Austria |
Brexit and Road Safety |
