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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ceisteanna (213)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to meet with his UK counterpart to identify ongoing obstructions to the Northern Ireland Protocol as events emerge. [6351/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am in regular and ongoing contact with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on a range of issues including with regard to the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. We met in London on 6 January and in Munich on 19 February. We also spoke on 28 January after the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Northern Ireland.

The Protocol is the only agreed EU-UK solution that protects the Good Friday Agreement, prevents a hard border on the island of Ireland, and ensures the integrity of the EU Single Market and Ireland’s place within it.

I have emphasised to the Foreign Secretary that Ireland and the EU remain fully committed to providing certainty and stability for people and businesses in Northern Ireland. The EU has spared no effort in listening to the concerns of people in Northern Ireland and bringing forward a far-reaching and pragmatic package of proposals that would address the issues that matter most to them.

As the Deputy will be aware, EU-UK discussions on the implementation of the Protocol are ongoing. I welcome that these talks are continuing and it is positive that EU-UK joint statements have expressed determination to ensure durable solutions are found as soon as possible for the benefit of people and businesses in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is already seeing the benefits of the Protocol, with numerous jobs and investment announcements made over the last year based on Northern Ireland’s unique access under the Protocol to both the EU Single Market for goods and the rest of the UK internal market. Most people and businesses in Northern Ireland want to take advantage of this unique trading position. Businesses have consistently said that they need stability, certainty and predictability.

I, of course, have also discussed the situation in Ukraine with Foreign Secretary Truss where the EU and the UK are standing together to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s abhorrent and illegal aggression. I hope that this spirit of partnership can extend to the talks on the implementation of the Protocol. A positive outcome to these discussions will allow us to turn a page and develop a forward-looking EU-UK partnership. There are a range of urgent global challenges which require the EU and UK to work together. A strong bilateral British-Irish relationship is also vital for the Irish and British Governments to fulfil our roles as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and to advance cooperation across a wide range of sectors.

I will remain in close contact with British Government Ministers, including the Foreign Secretary, in the period ahead and will continue to encourage the British Government to engage constructively with the EU so that we can make progress for the benefit of people and businesses across Northern Ireland.

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