Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The negotiation guidelines have been agreed, starting with the rights of EU citizens in Britain, the rights of British citizens in the EU, the UK’s financial obligations and the issues surrounding Ireland and the Border. We also have commitment regarding the reintegration of Northern Ireland into the EU in the event of Irish unity.

We now move on to the negotiating directives. I understand the Minister hopes to agree those on 22 May at the General Affairs Council. Is he looking for anything in particular in those negotiating directives? Does he want to say anything about them? Are we looking for additional input into those?

Regarding the UK check, they are obviously upfront in the negotiations. Various figures have been mentioned, including €50 billion and other figures. The Taoiseach talked about the principles and the methodologies involved in that. As this has the potential to derail the entire process, I would be interested in the Minister's views on that. Are we likely to get agreement on that? What figures are being discussed?

Obviously, we are talking about flexible and imaginative solutions. There will be a political decision about the Irish situation at the end of all this. However, the solution must be compatible with EU law, as Deputy Micheál Martin mentioned earlier. Is there any discussion about treaty change arising from all this or is it too early to discuss such an eventuality?

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