Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

International engagement on the issue of broadband and our national strategy has not featured in my conversations at EU level. The Cabinet took a decision today, following consideration of a number of options, to proceed by way of a national plan. I am sure the Dáil will have the opportunity to discuss this at an early date. I have no knowledge of any European influence on or engagement in this decision. The Acting Chairman will forgive me if I defer to my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, on the issue. I understand provision is being made for an early debate on the issue and I am sure there will be an opportunity for Deputies to raise this on Question Time as well.

We have not, at the level of the Foreign Affairs Council, had the opportunity to discuss the issue of the referendum vote in the United Kingdom. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday week in Brussels. My assumption, not having seen the agenda, is that the issue will feature. In the meantime, in the context of my bilateral engagement with foreign Ministers, as well as the Taoiseach's engagement with European Heads of State and Government, which he relayed to me, Ireland's priorities are being clearly set out. One of these is the matter of our long-standing relationship and engagement with the United Kingdom through the common travel area. It is important that this form a priority in terms of the ultimate settlement negotiations with the United Kingdom. There is also the issue of the Border, as was mentioned earlier by Deputy Haughey. These are really important strategic national issues for us and we will continue to highlight them at every opportunity prior to the negotiations and, ultimately, in the course of those negotiations. In the meantime, we wish to impress on our colleagues the core nature of the issues and the unique status of the island of Ireland in the context of the European Union, with particular reference to the peace process.

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