Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy also raised the issue of Yemen. Ireland has an involvement there from a humanitarian point of view. I raised this specific issue in the context of my bilateral engagements with the foreign Minister of the Arab Emirates and in Saudi.

I apologise to Deputy Barrett for not referencing Brexit in my reply. The Chairman is correct, in that this is a major engagement under my departmental priorities and I assure Deputy Barrett that we have a strong and active team, working in concert with the Taoiseach, his Department and the Cabinet committee, that was specifically inaugurated to deal with the challenge of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

Turning to Senator Daly, a bespoke political solution will be required, one that recognises the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. This is an issue that has been debated in plenary sessions of the Parliament and the Seanad has a particular mandate in that regard. I welcome committee engagements and the views of Members of the Houses. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to maintain our pursuit of effective and realisable measures to address the many areas of concern across the Government in terms of Brexit. This includes the need to have our unique circumstances fully recognised.

At Foreign Affairs Council level, I have had almost 100 meetings with my colleagues. At every Council meeting in Brussels, I arrange a number of key bilaterals in order to ensure that Ireland's priorities are not only realised, but accepted across the EU. I acknowledge Senator Daly's comments in that regard, as it is important that we continue to prioritise Ireland's issues, notwithstanding the favourable regard to Ireland in the context of the guidelines. We will maintain our focus and continue to engage at the highest level. If the committee wishes to put Brexit as a single item on its agenda at any stage, I am happy to return to discuss the issues.

The European Council agreed that it would lead on Brexit. Having regard to the fact that there are a number of policy areas for other Councils, we take our lead from the European Council. The General Affairs Council, which is attended by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, has engaged actively in formulating the principles, practices and procedures for negotiation. I keep regular contact with him and the Taoiseach.

I assure Deputy Barrett that we are fully equipped. Since the referendum result, we have been in a position to augment our teams in key EU locations, with particular reference to London, Paris, Berlin and Brussels, which is the nerve centre of our activities in that regard.

Deputy Barrett mentioned specifically Commissioner Barnier and his visit to the Border. That visit was at my invitation and I was with him. I believe it is very important that not only Commissioner Barnier but also a number of EU Foreign Ministers would have the opportunity of visiting our Border, not to look around at suitable locations for further activity but to see the "seamless" nature of the Border, to quote the British Prime Minister, and to ensure that as strong as possible a case continues to be made for the maintenance of our open Border. Commissioner Barnier was struck by the invisible nature of our Border. We had been telling him that the Border between North and South was invisible and that we wished that open Border to be maintained, irrespective of what happens. I am looking forward to taking my colleague the Danish Foreign Minister on a similar field trip, having had key Members of the European Parliament visit the Border in recent weeks as well as my colleague, the Luxembourg Foreign Minister, the most senior member of the Foreign Affairs Council. I am anxious to ensure that, once Ireland's issues are prioritised at EU level, they can actually see it by visiting the Border. I was pleased that Commissioner Barnier took time out to walk the Border.

Very briefly on a number of other-----