Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [30691/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 July 2018
Ceisteanna (119)
Freagraí scríofa
I had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister May on the margins of the EU Council in Brussels on June 28.
We discussed the current political situation in Northern Ireland where I emphasised my Government’s full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and we re-affirmed the determination of both Governments to secure the effective operation of all its institutions.
In line with this, we agreed that a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will take place in London on 25 July in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement and which will be co-chaired by the Tánaiste and Minister David Lidington.
We also discussed Brexit and I told Prime Minister May very clearly that there is not much time left if we are to conclude a Withdrawal Agreement and have it operational by the time the UK leaves.
The UK gave clear commitments and guarantees in December and again in March, and we need to see detailed, workable proposals from them to deliver on these commitments. I told the Prime Minister that the EU27 agreed that, if we don’t get agreement on a backstop or on the other outstanding elements, it won’t be possible to finalise the Withdrawal Agreement as a whole, including the transition arrangements.
I have always said that I hope the future relationship between the EU and the UK will be as close and comprehensive as possible, and that it will remove any need for a hard border.
But it will not, in any way, remove the need for a legally robust backstop to apply unless and until better arrangements enter into force, ensuring that there will never be a hard border on this island, whatever circumstances prevail.
While I am hopeful that we will achieve a very close, comprehensive and ambitious future relationship with the UK, the government is of course continuing to plan for the full range of scenarios.
I also spoke with PM May by phone on Saturday 7 July when she briefed me on the outcome of her Cabinet Meeting in Chequers the previous day. I told her I looked forward to seeing greater detail on their proposals which we would discuss with the Barnier Task Force and the other Member States.
Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 109.