Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The answer to that question is that it is possible to do that once an element of progress is made early on in the negotiations on the issues that the EU has prioritised. I am very pleased and make no apologies for the fact that Ireland has been prioritised in that regard in respect of our Border, citizenship and the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, which is something we sought at the outset. I agree with Deputy Ryan that there are and will be areas upon which agreement will be reached rather easily with the UK. During the negotiations, we need to bank these as we proceed. We have abided by the principle of no negotiation without notification. In that regard, we have not been negotiating or finding common ground with the UK over a range of issues on which I think it would be possible to find in the course of the negotiations.

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