Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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These negotiations have not even started yet. Our priorities are fully recognised as the negotiations commence. One of those priorities is protecting the Northern Ireland peace process. In talking about special status within the European Union, there are certain difficulties regarding the maintenance of Northern Ireland within the European Union, having regard to the Good Friday Agreement and having regard to the fact that it is the United Kingdom that is the member of the European Union. That said there are unique and special circumstances pertaining to the island of Ireland. We need to ensure that is fully factored into the negotiations. We need to maintain the common travel area, east-west as well as North-South.

On the particular point the Deputy raises regarding the need to impress upon our EU colleagues in the negotiations, while the people in Northern Ireland actually voted to remain within the European Union, any special status for Northern Ireland within the European Union is something that to my mind is unachievable for a number of reasons, not least of which is that the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and her entire Cabinet have said on a number of occasions that they intend withdrawing the UK from the European Union.