Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018
107. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his conversations with British Government Ministers and officials to protect and support continued North-South and east-west co-operation across the full range of political, economic, security, societal and agricultural contexts and frameworks of cooperation including the continued operation of the north-south implementation bodies. [44137/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the UK’s decision to leave the EU has serious implications for Ireland, we maintain a strong and constructive bilateral relationship with the UK government. We are fully committed to developing and enhancing this relationship over the coming years and to working together as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement to support the totality of relationships across these islands. Additionally, we will work to secure the closest possible positive relationship between the UK and the European Union. The Taoiseach and I have extensively engaged on behalf of the Government with our counterparts in the British government in support of the full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement. In addition, the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference met on 25 July to discuss issues of mutual interest to the Irish and British Governments, in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement, with the Irish Government represented by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr. Charles Flanagan TD and myself, acting as co-chair. The Conference discussed legacy issues, security co-operation, East-West bilateral issues, and political stability in Northern Ireland. Preparations for the next meeting of the Conference are actively underway.
At the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference and in my ongoing engagement with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I of course strongly emphasise the centrality of North South Cooperation and the North South Ministerial Council to the Good Friday Agreement, and the imperative for both Governments as co-guarantors, to continue to work together to support the effective operation of the interlocking institutions of the Agreement.
At present, in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive, it is not possible for the NSMC to meet and to bring the Government and Executive together to oversee ongoing North South work and further develop cooperation. Notwithstanding the current political situation, the North South Implementation Bodies continue to carry out their important public functions in line with their mandates and to deliver economic and social benefits for people across the island.
The Joint Report agreed by the EU and UK negotiators on 8 December 2017 acknowledged that cooperation between Ireland and Northern Ireland is a central part of the Good Friday Agreement, and that the UK departure from the European Union gives rise to substantial challenges to the maintenance and development of North-South cooperation. The UK has accordingly committed to protecting and supporting continued North-South cooperation across the full range of contexts and frameworks of cooperation, including the continued operation of the North-South implementation bodies.
In respect of East-West cooperation, the Government also actively engages in the work of the British Irish Council (BIC), as the institution of the Agreement to promote the mutually beneficial development of relationships between the two sovereign Governments, the devolved Administrations and the other Administrations of the Council.
In addition to cooperation and engagement within the framework of the Good Friday Agreement, Government Ministers also continue to meet with their British Government counterparts to support and advance bilateral cooperation between Ireland and the UK, across all relevant sectors and policy areas. In recent weeks, I have met with my counterpart, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP, and the Secretary to the Cabinet Office David Lidington, where we have had good discussions on the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the UK.
