Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I am acutely conscious of the challenging global environment in which this Government is operating. Our nearest neighbour, with whom we share a land border and solemn responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, has voted to leave the EU presenting an enormous challenge. Brexit has dominated the Government's agenda for well over a year now. Our response is being led by the Taoiseach, who is widely respected in the EU and well connected to numerous heads of Government and EU Commissioners due to his deep roots in the European People's Party and across the EU.

Over the past eight months, the Taoiseach and I have led an intensive programme of diplomatic engagement across the EU and beyond. I have had some 150 meetings with ministers on Ireland's priorities and unique concerns. As a result of the Government's work, Ireland's concerns have been publicly prioritised by Michel Barnier, Guy Verhofstadt in the European Parliament and the UK Prime Minister among others. The Taoiseach continues to lead this vital work across Government, in particular through the Cabinet committee on Brexit. Ireland alone published a contingency plan on 24 June 2016. Put simply, this Government's work on Brexit is intensive and relentless. On Friday, the Taoiseach and I will host the second all-island civic dialogue on Brexit. This follows 14 Minister-led all-island sectoral dialogues augmenting the analysis of Government.

The all-island nature of these dialogues is all the more important given the collapse of the Sinn-Féin-DUP Executive in Northern Ireland. The new Executive in Stormont needs to be up and running within three weeks of the elections scheduled to take place just a fortnight from now. People in this House have a responsibility in this regard. We are about to embark on negotiations in respect of Brexit. We are conscious of pending elections in a number of EU member states and the possible challenges these will bring. We are also dealing with a new US Administration. This Government is absolutely focused on protecting Ireland's national interests at this very difficult and challenging time for our country. This is the time for unity, not one for narrow partisan political gain or priorities. This is a time for working together within these Houses and as a nation.

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