Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2017
69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions with his British counterpart on the legislation being enacted or proposed by the British Government regarding its decision to exit the European Union; and if he has satisfied himself that such legislation does not impact on aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. [52941/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is determined to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts is fully protected and respected in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and this has been a headline priority since the UK referendum result. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government has a solemn responsibility to protect the Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the Peace Process which have been of immeasurable benefit to the entire island, north and south.
Upholding the Good Friday Agreement is also an objective shared by the British Government. Last Friday, we received firm commitments in the joint report of the negotiators of the EU and UK Government. These commitments include the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, protection of EU citizenship and other rights, and the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts including in relation to North South co-operation and the principle of consent.
This agreement not only provides a guarantee that there will be no hard border in any circumstances, it spells out for the first time how this will be achieved. In the event that it is not possible to resolve the border issue as part of a wider EU-UK future relationship agreement, which has always been the Irish Government’s preference, or through specific solutions, paragraph 49 of the report states that, “in the absence of agreed solutions, the United Kingdom will maintain full alignment with those rules of the Internal Market and the Customs Union which, now or in the future, support North-South co-operation, the all-island economy and the protection of the 1998 agreement.” It has also been agreed that any agreements put in place will be accompanied by effective mechanisms to ensure implementation and oversight.
The British Government has proposed a number of pieces of draft legislation relating to the UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union, which are being considered at Westminster. While this is a matter for the UK Parliament, my Department, including through the Embassy in London, is actively following the progress of these bills at Westminster.
