Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together.

My visit to Germany from 5 to 7 April included a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as extensive engagement with key trade, tourism and investment partners. The visit began in Frankfurt on the morning of Thursday, 6 April where I had a series of meetings with Irish State agency client companies based in Germany. I officially opened the offices of the Irish company, Collen Construction, before giving a keynote speech at an event attended by more than 150 guests. In my remarks, I emphasised the links between Ireland and Germany and our support for further strengthening investment, trade and tourism between our two countries. That afternoon, I travelled to Berlin where I had a very positive and constructive bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel in the Federal Chancellery. Our discussions included Brexit, the future direction of Europe and EU-US relations. On Brexit, we discussed the draft EU negotiating guidelines which were circulated on 31 March following Prime Minister May’s official notification on 29 March of the UK’s intention to leave the European Union. These guidelines were agreed by the European Council on Saturday and I will speak about them in more detail during my statement to the House later this afternoon. In my discussions with Chancellor Merkel about the Brexit negotiations, I said nothing should undermine peace and stability in Northern Ireland and that it is therefore crucial to avoid a return to a hard Border. This is a political challenge and we will need to be creative and imaginative in finding solutions, while respecting our EU obligations.

Chancellor Merkel acknowledged Ireland’s unique concerns and offered her strong support in ensuring that these were reflected in the guidelines. The language in the guidelines and, indeed, in the notification letter from Prime Minister May is a positive outcome of the Government’s approach and intensive programme of strategic engagement with EU partners and the EU institutions over recent months. Germany, like Ireland, has significant and complex trading links with the UK. We both agreed these should be maintained with minimum disruption and that we should work together to protect jobs, growth and investment. In exchanging views on the negotiations ahead, we agreed these should be approached in a calm and constructive manner with the aim of achieving a close and positive future relationship between the EU and the UK. More generally, on the future direction of Europe, I highlighted the importance we attach to maintaining EU 27 unity, based on our core values and the need for a balanced response to current challenges with a focus on better delivery for our citizens, particularly in jobs, growth and competitiveness. The following day, I participated in a round table event organised by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce, which facilitated a useful exchange about the impact of Brexit from the Irish and German business perspective. I also met with a group of German think tanks active on European, foreign and economic policy issues which enabled me to explain and discuss Ireland’s perspectives on Brexit and the future direction of Europe. Later that day, I launched the Bord Bia Irish beef food truck and met with a major premium wholesaler which supplies Irish-sourced products. In all my meetings, I highlighted and explained Ireland’s particular concerns arising from Brexit for our trade and economy; Northern Ireland and the peace process; the common travel area; Border and citizenship issues; and the future direction of the European Union. I placed particular emphasis on our strong ongoing commitment to EU membership and our intention to work constructively and calmly as part of the EU 27 team towards a close and positive future relationship with the United Kingdom.

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