Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Avoiding a hard Border on the island of Ireland, with the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in its entirety, remains an absolute priority for this Government. This is a position that has been well heard and is well understood right across the European Union. I am pleased to say it has been expressly reflected in the negotiating guidelines. As set out in the guidelines, imaginative and flexible solutions will be required. Our absolute priority and preference is to maintain the closest possible trading relationship, based on a level playing field, between the UK and the European Union, including Ireland. There is much negotiation yet to be done around trading arrangements, and by extension, any customs regime that might apply.

It is premature to set out detailed possible solutions, in particular when the negotiations have yet to properly begin. However, it is important that technical solutions do not anticipate or drive outcomes at political level. I agree with Deputy Smith. There has been an extensive level of engagement with and by our EU partners to understand this issue. Ireland will continue to work with the task force and our EU partners to find solutions in line with our commitment to the integrity of the Single Market but the UK has its own responsibilities. It will need to show with its actions the commitment to the stated objective of protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement and avoiding a hard Border.

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