Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
411. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the meetings he has had with his British counterparts regarding the objective of maintaining the common travel area after Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36244/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra413. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the meetings he has had with the EU Commission regarding the objective of maintaining the common travel area after Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36246/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 413 together.
The maintenance of the Common Travel Area following the UK withdrawal from the EU is a priority for both the Irish and UK Governments. The Common Travel Area pre-dates Irish and UK membership of the EU and is not dependent on EU membership. The Common Travel Area is particularly important in underpinning the Northern Ireland peace process and relations on the island of Ireland. The EU Negotiation Guidelines and negotiating directives provide for the recognition of existing agreements and arrangements between Ireland and the UK, such as the Common Travel Area, which are in conformity with EU law.
The UK Government notification letter which formally triggered Article 50 placed a strong emphasis on the “unique relationship” between these two islands. The letter confirmed that the UK Government wishes to avoid a return to a hard Border, to maintain the Common Travel Area, and to uphold the Good Friday Agreement.
As agreed, the Irish-specific issues were discussed as part of the second round of negotiations between the EU and the UK which took place last week. This included an exchange on the Common Travel Area. The discussion centred on assessing the extent of common understanding on the issues, with agreement to do further work ahead of the next round of talks. I am satisfied with the direction of the discussions. My officials continue to be in good and close contact with the EU Task Force.
As part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the issues unique to Ireland are prioritised in the Brexit negotiations, I have held bilateral meetings with a number of my EU colleagues since assuming my new role, including with the EU’s lead negotiator, Michel Barnier, as well with my Estonian, Luxembourg, French, Slovak, Belgian and Spanish counterparts. I also welcomed the Finnish Foreign Minister to Ireland earlier this month and my officials are currently finalising the details for further engagements in the autumn. I have met with the UK’s Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, David Davis, in London on 6 July. I have also held a bilateral with the UK’s Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 17 July.
With my colleagues across Government, I will continue to work to ensure that Ireland’s priorities in these negotiations – minimising the impact on our trade and economy, protecting the peace process, maintaining the CTA and its associated rights, and securing the future of the EU – are delivered.
