Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the last question, it is too early to pre-empt the final decision. Certainly it is the Irish Government's desire that these matters can be completed by means of an orderly process without any requirement for treaty change at the end of the process.

There was criticism earlier about the debate. It is important for this House to debate the matter. I request the Business Committee give favourable consideration to returning to this matter whenever required. Certainly in the context of the publication of today’s document, I think we should have a debate on this issue next week, but I will be guided by the Business Committee. Of course, if we had published the document last week, we would stand accused of publishing a document prior to the process having been agreed. I ask Deputies to respect the fact that with so many different interested parties around the House, it is difficult to achieve consensus on this. In future we need to do so, as a national Parliament. In that regard, I will certainly be guided by the advice and guidance I receive from time to time, not only from the plenary session of the House, but also by the various committees.

I agree with Deputy Haughey on the UK's financial liabilities. Unless they raise an element of flexibility on the amount, we run the risk of having matters stalled early on. I would like to see a form of constructive negotiation on a settlement of the commitments in principle, leading ultimately to a fair and balanced outcome. It would not be helpful or productive to focus on actual figures prior to the commencement of the negotiations. We establish the principle of financial liabilities and then move on to discuss other issues in parallel.

I accept what Deputy Haughey and others have said on the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland, which will form a very sensitive but critical part of the negotiated framework between the UK and the European Union. We are dealing with an EU frontier. We are dealing with a land Border; unless that Border is carefully managed and remains open, it will give rise to very serious challenges. Our priorities are the maintenance of the open Border. It is important that in the negotiations we move pretty quickly to agree a common position on the matter of the Border with the UK Government. I think that is possible, having regard to statements of encouragement that I have seen from the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May; the Secretary of State, Mr. Davis; the Secretary of State, Mr. Brokenshire; and other UK Ministers.

See this speech in context