Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As members of the EU, any bilateral arrangements we enter into will be with the full knowledge of our EU colleagues. There are certain areas, however, which underline a unique relationship between the UK and Ireland, and, for example, the fact neither country is in Schengen resulted in a situation where bilateral arrangements were optimum. It is similar with regard to the workings of the common travel area and arrangements, where both the UK and Ireland joined the EU with the common travel framework in situ, and that continued. Again, it is important to stress that no matter what the nature of the deal is, the common travel area and arrangements will continue, and this is the desire of the UK Government and the Irish Government, and, indeed, the EU. I acknowledge that there will be circumstances and instances where we will have to further our bilateral arrangements and enter into agreements with the UK, but this will be done in the context of Ireland remaining a member of the EU and under the umbrella of the EU.