Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he remains satisfied that the UK authorities remain committed to the Brexit Agreement; whether other modifications are envisaged at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21122/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAfter many years of significant difficulty, I am glad to report that the UK is now more fully meeting its commitments to the European Union.
In particular, the UK is actively implementing the terms of the Windsor Framework agreement last year, which has helped underpin political and economic stability in Northern Ireland. While there are a number of areas where the EU would like to see a greater level of implementation, in particular around checks on goods between Britain and Northern Ireland, overall the UK appears committed to taking forward the agreed arrangements.
It remains my position that it is vital that the Windsor Framework is implemented fully and in good faith.
The Framework represents a real opportunity for Northern Ireland, with dual access to both the UK internal market as well as the EU Single Market. I am determined to support Northern Ireland make the most of this opportunity, to the benefit of the economy of the island as a whole.
The UK is also actively meeting its commitments to the EU under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which ensures that we can continue to trade, do business and cooperate in a whole range of areas of real importance for Ireland.
While there are sometimes differences of approach between the EU and the UK to implementation of the agreed terms, these issues are generally settled through dialogue at official level.
At this stage, and in the short term, I do not believe that either side envisages significant modification of the Brexit Agreements.
However, I personally believe that there is a lot more the EU and the UK could do together, particularly in the foreign and security policy arena. I therefore remain optimistic that the EU-UK relationship can continue to strengthen and deepen in the years to come.
