Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
139. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the rights and equality guarantees included in the current version of Article 1, Protocol 1, of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. [23240/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra140. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the provisions of European Union law that should be included in Annexe 1 to the protocol of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. [23241/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the enforcement and implementation mechanisms that will be available to persons protected by Article 1, Protocol 1, of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. [23242/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the pressure he is bringing to bear on Task Force 50 to ensure and enforce the rights and equality guarantees in Article 1, Protocol 1, of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. [23244/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 141, inclusive, and 143 together.
As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined to ensure that the Agreement in all its parts is fully protected throughout the process of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. This includes the rights and equality provisions of the Good Friday Agreement which are central to the Peace Process.
Our EU partners, including the Commission Taskforce, have shown solidarity and support in respect of Ireland’s unique issues and concerns, including the protection of the Agreement. On 8 December last, a Joint Report between the EU and UK negotiators was agreed which included important commitments in respect of protecting the Agreement in all its parts. The draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which forms part of the draft Withdrawal Agreement, translates these commitments into a legal framework.
Article 1 of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland provides that the UK will ensure that there is no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in the Chapter of the Good Friday Agreement on Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity, resulting from the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The Protocol also proposes that the UK would ensure no diminution in the area of protection against discrimination as enshrined in the provisions of EU law to be set out in Annex 1 to the Protocol. These commitments will be implemented through a dedicated mechanism.
On the question of the content of Annex 1 and the operation of the dedicated mechanism, work is ongoing in this regard, as provided for in the December Joint Report. The Government’s aim is to secure a result which affords the greatest possible protection for rights in Northern Ireland following the UK’s exit from the EU.
In addition to the “no diminution” commitment, the Protocol also importantly proposes that the UK would facilitate the related work of the institutions and bodies of the Good Friday Agreement, which includes the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and the Joint Committee of both the Human Rights Commissions in both jurisdictions. The Protocol also clearly acknowledges that the people of Northern Ireland who choose to identify as Irish, and therefore as EU citizens, will continue to enjoy rights, opportunities and benefits of EU citizenship.
More work is required between the UK and EU on rights and equality issues, as is provided for in the Joint Report. The Government will continue to engage intensively on these issues, working with our EU partners and the Commission Taskforce and the UK, to ensure that the commitments made to date are delivered on in full. In this regard, maintaining frequent contact with our EU partners, including the Commission Taskforce, has been a priority for Ireland throughout the Article 50 negotiation process. Officials from my Department, in particular from the Permanent Representation in Brussels, have very regular, almost daily, engagement with the Commission Taskforce, including on issues relating to rights and the Good Friday Agreement.
