Micheál Martin
Ceist:106. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the EU summit on 17 November 2017; the issues that were discussed. [49553/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 November 2017
Ceisteanna (106, 107, 108)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:107. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if there was discussion at the EU summit on the roadmap relating to the issues affecting the Border here in view of the fact that Northern Ireland is leaving the Single Market and the customs union. [49554/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMicheál Martin
Ceist:108. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he had bilateral meetings at the EU summit meeting on 17 November 2017; the leaders he met; and the issues that were discussed. [49555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 to 108, inclusive, together.
I attended the European Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 17 November. I was accompanied by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, and the Minister for European Affairs, Helen McEntee.
EU Heads of State and Government were joined by social partners and other stakeholders for an open discussion on how to promote fair jobs and growth in the future. There was a plenary session, followed by three parallel working sessions. I participated in the second, on the subject of fair employment and working conditions.
At the Summit, the Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights was formally signed by the Presidents of the Commission and Parliament, and on behalf of the Council by the Estonian Prime Minister, Mr Ratas.
The Social Summit was followed by a working lunch for Leaders chaired by European Council President Donald Tusk. This was the first in a series of discussions under his Leaders' Agenda, as endorsed by the October European Council, and it focused on education and culture.
There was no discussion on Northern Ireland at the Social Summit in Gothenburg.
In the margins of the Summit, I met with Prime Minister May. We discussed the ongoing political situation in Northern Ireland and agreed that our two governments would continue to engage with the parties to support and encourage them to reach agreement on the formation of a Northern Ireland Executive.
On Brexit, I reiterated the position of the EU 27 that greater clarity and confidence on how a hard border is to be avoided was needed before we could say that sufficient progress had been made to allow negotiations to move to Phase two.
I have consistently maintained that protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process is a key priority, not just for Ireland but for all remaining 27 Member States. Given that the UK Government has said that the UK should leave the Single Market and the Customs Union, the onus is on it to indicate how the commitment to avoiding a hard border is to be realised in that context.