Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On 3 February 2017, the Taoiseach attended the EU meeting in Malta. What bilateral meetings did he hold, how many meetings did he hold over the course of that day and which heads of Government did he meet with? I am trying to get a sense of the progress the Taoiseach believes we are making within Europe on putting forward the unique position Ireland has post-Brexit, particularly in light of the fact that the British Government seems to have rejected out of hand the argument that Northern Ireland should be granted any special status. My party leader and I met yesterday with the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, and very clearly told him that Fianna Fáil is most disappointed and gravely concerned with that turn of events. I am trying to get a picture as to how our EU colleagues are or are not supporting our position in advance of the negotiations. They have not yet started but this is the positioning. While we will be one of 27 member states, I want to make sure that we will not be left behind or part of the collateral damage that may occur post-Brexit. Fianna Fáil and I have stated that we remain firmly committed to the EU. We understand that there are unique issues between the UK and us such as a unique trading relationship and a special relationship in the context of the Good Friday Agreement.

I know the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade also mentioned the concerns regarding the unpicking of the Good Friday Agreement, particularly the human rights agenda. The Minister mentioned that last week and then seemed to change tack and take the British line on it, which is that there is no consensus in Northern Ireland for a bill of rights. I put it to the Taoiseach that we should be telling the British Government and our European partners that we will not accept any dilution of the Good Friday Agreement.

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