Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Many issues which might not have been of great international significance have been dealt with quickly. In this case, it might be necessary to look again at what we need to do in the context of North-South relationships and the island approach to the negotiations in respect of our contact with the United Kingdom and this country's place in the European Union. The meeting in Armagh will be chaired by the First Minister and the DUP and Government members will attend. There will be a special meeting before it to synchronise the issues raised, Minister to Minister, which are important in terms of the sectoral and thematic discussions. The sectoral committees are working on their programmes which I expect to be finalised before 18 November. We need a schedule in respect of North-South relations and Brexit for the North-South Ministerial Council, as the case might be. I do not disagree with the Deputy. It might be necessary to hold a couple of special meetings as needs be, perhaps every quarter, to update and see how things are progressing in the discussions and negotiations.

To answer Deputy Eamon Ryan, we will have an interest in the court case that is taking place. I will speak to the ambassador, Mr. Mulhall, in seeing to it that it is properly covered. As I stated, Secretary of State Davis announced yesterday in the House of Commons that he would write in detail about the protection of the benefits arising from the common travel area which have applied since the 1920s and which we do not want to lose.

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