Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together.

My meeting with Prime Minister May yesterday covered a wide range of issues. We discussed the recent political developments in Northern Ireland and the implications that Brexit will have for the North and for relationships across these islands. We reiterated our joint and continuing commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions and our shared desire to see a fully functioning Executive back in place as soon as possible. We agreed on the importance of our two Governments working together to ensure that the frameworks of the Good Friday and successor agreements are fully preserved in the upcoming Brexit negotiations and outcomes. We discussed the necessity of ensuring the continued free flow of trade on the island and the need to avoid a hard Border. I made clear to the Prime Minister that, in my view, any manifestation of a hard Border would have very negative consequences.

We agreed that we both want to see a close, friction-free economic and trading relationship between the UK and the EU, including Ireland. Prime Minister May and I also reaffirmed our commitment to maintaining the common travel area and agreed to continue working together to this end. I emphasised to the Prime Minister the importance of finding a way forward on outstanding commitments, particularly on issues such the legacy institutions under the Stormont House Agreement, and the Irish language. Our discussions also covered the importance of our future co-operation in key areas, such as agriculture and food, energy, security and criminal justice, education and culture. Our two Governments are agreed that a close, trouble-free, economic and trading relationship between the UK and the EU, including Ireland, is in our best interests.

I had previously spoken with Prime Minister May on the evening of Monday, 16 January, when we discussed the situation in Northern Ireland and repeated our desire to see the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement operating effectively, and in particular to have a fully functioning Executive in place as soon as possible following the election. We also discussed her speech on Brexit, scheduled for the following day. In that speech, the Prime Minister provided some important clarity on the proposed approach of the British Government to the Brexit negotiation process. I note, however, that there is still a lot of detail that remains to be set out as we move towards those negotiations commencing.

From our perspective, our overall negotiation priorities remain unchanged. These are our economy and trade; Northern Ireland, including the peace process and Border issues; the common travel area; and the future of the European Union. I am under no illusion about the challenges that remain to be addressed. Ministers and I will continue to meet and engage with our EU counterparts over coming weeks to emphasise Ireland’s concerns and to ensure they are fully reflected in the EU position once negotiations commence. This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official levels. The Government is acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges for the Irish economy and will remain fully engaged on this aspect as the negotiations proceed. I believe that, from my discussions with other members of the European Council and the EU institutions, there is a good understanding of the significant implications for Ireland arising from Brexit. While this does not, of course, guarantee that it will be possible to mitigate against all the negative consequences of the UK's eventual departure from the EU, it is vital that we continue to engage with our EU partners and the EU institutions in order to defend our interests to the greatest extent possible.

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