Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 21 September 2017
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence
Special Meeting of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs meeting with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Engagement with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt MEP, European Parliament Brexit Co-ordinator
10:30 am
Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
I welcome Mr. Verhofstadt. Those of us on the island of Ireland see that, once again, the British have shot themselves in our foot. We feel bad about that.
I am Vice Chairman of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. Most of the parliamentarians from Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales and other jurisdictions are concerned about this situation and would like to see a change. Mr. Verhofstadt answered Deputy Donnelly regarding the lengthy transition period. I view the statement made by Mr. Jeremy Corbyn as indicating a change in the political climate in the UK, which could lead to a second referendum. We would welcome that, but will Mr. Verhofstadt share his opinion on the matter?
I welcome Mr. Verhofstadt's views on safeguarding the Good Friday Agreement. The EU has been a significant stakeholder in the agreement, if not the most significant, and has underpinned it.
Turning to a concern for the island of Ireland, would it be possible to have a final deal without Ireland's agreement?
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