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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018

Tuesday, 29 May 2018

Ceisteanna (138)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

138. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent poll showing that 69% of persons in Northern Ireland wish to remain in the EU; and if he discussed same with his British counterpart. [23443/18]

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Freagraí scríofa

The poll to which the Deputy refers was published in a recent report entitled ‘Northern Ireland and the UK’s Exit from the EU: What do people think?’. This report was prepared by a number of academics based at Queen’s University Belfast and was funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council through its UK in a Changing Europe Initiative.

The report suggests that support for remaining within the EU has increased in Northern Ireland to 69% from the 56% who voted to remain in the June 2016 referendum. It is important to remember that the remain vote had a majority in 11 of 18 Northern Ireland constituencies. The poll also indicates that an even higher majority of 85% want to stay within the Single Market and the Customs Union.

This is in line with the position that the Irish Government has held since the beginning of the negotiations, which is that Ireland’s interest is in trying to achieve an outcome as close as possible to the status quo on the island. Ideally, this would be achieved through the wider EU-UK future relationship agreement. Such an agreement would also minimise or eliminate any new frictions in East/West trade.

However, we need to have a backstop in case that proves not to be possible, and that backstop needs to be clearly defined as part of the Withdrawal Agreement.

The UK decision to leave the European Union poses unprecedented challenges for the island of Ireland. The decision to leave is one we regret, but we must ultimately accept the outcome, however narrowly it was decided.

All sides have been clear since the start that the unique situation on the island of Ireland requires unique solutions. This was confirmed in the EU-UK Joint Progress report of last December and this is our present focus in the negotiations. I have outlined this position repeatedly to my UK counterparts in the course of our engagements.

I routinely meet the Foreign Secretary at meetings of Foreign Ministers in an EU context, and internationally. Ireland and the United Kingdom share many areas of mutual interest and concern and we will continue to work together on areas of commonality.

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