Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

A Theachtaí agus a Sheanadóirí, fáilte romhaibh go léir. On this special occasion, I also extend a heartfelt welcome to our MLAs, MEPs and MPs who join us for this special meeting of three Oireachtas committees, the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The purpose of the meeting is to engage in an exchange of views with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's co-ordinator on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

Mr. Verhofstadt, I welcome you to the Houses of the Oireachtas and invite you to take your seat in the Chamber. You honour us with your visit to our Parliament today. We are pleased to welcome you for this important discussion.

By way of background, Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, sitting together in committee on 11 May last, met Mr. Michel Barnier, chief negotiator of the task force for the preparation and conduct of negotiations with the United Kingdom. The meeting provided an opportunity for Members of the Dáil and Seanad to outline directly to Mr. Barnier their concerns for Ireland in relation to the negotiation process and its outcome. Ireland's priorities include Northern Ireland, the Border and the Good Friday Agreement; the economic impact of Brexit, which has already manifested itself in the agrifood sector; the Single Market; and free movement, in particular of people in the common travel area. As a result, the negotiations between the United Kingdom and European Union are being followed very closely in Ireland. Mr. Verhofstadt, as the European Parliament's co-ordinator, has a key role in framing and presenting the final UK exit package to the European Parliament.

The unique position of and special circumstances confronting the island of Ireland were referenced in the European Parliament's resolution of 5 April on the exit negotiations. This early recognition of the challenges facing Ireland is welcome and reassuring but we need to maintain this focus. While the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU has clear implications for Ireland, it also draws our attention again to the debate about the future of Europe and any changes that may emerge from the process now under way. Mr. Verhofstadt, as you will hear, this is an issue of crucial importance to all of us, as parliamentarians representing our citizens who share a deep concern about where this bumpy road will lead us, as citizens of Ireland and Europe. We are very interested in hearing your views on the process, the potential outcomes of the negotiations and the implications for the European Union. I have great pleasure in asking you to address this unique meeting of the joint committees.