Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. These are issues of great importance.

As I note from reading the transcript of the committee's engagements, we are talking about fundamental rights.

My Department and I acknowledge that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility for these issues. Of course, I would be happy to further engage with the Tánaiste in that regard. It is important to recognise that, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement, the European Convention on Human Rights will remain much incorporated in law in Northern Ireland. The UK Government has confirmed its membership of the convention will continue. That should be acknowledged along with the importance of the common travel area arrangements. We need to be clear that those arrangements will be maintained in all circumstances. We are discussing the worst case scenario - a no-deal or crash-out Brexit - but it is important to recognise that the full gamut of common travel area practices allowing Irish and British citizens to access a range of similar rights in both jurisdictions will continue. I am keen to assure the committee that that will be the case. There are arrangements of a bilateral nature that we need to ensure will be in place, hence the importance of the legislation before us. On the longer-term issue, I would be very happy to further engage with the Tánaiste and the committee. These are areas of fundamental rights pertaining to the ongoing relationship North, South, east and west and of which we must be mindful. The exercise referred to was most useful.