Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together.

I spoke by phone with the French President, Mr Emmanuel Macron, the Chancellor of Germany, Dr. Angela Merkel, and the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, on 15 June, and with Prime Minister Modi of India on 16 June.

In my call with President Macron, we spoke about working together to advance the EU reform agenda, noting that there were many areas of common interest between Ireland and France. We also discussed Brexit. We looked forward to seeing each other at the European Council in Brussels this week.

Chancellor Merkel and I discussed the Northern Ireland talks and spoke about the renewed closeness of relations between Germany and France being a positive force for the future of the EU. We also discussed Brexit, and agreed to meet for more substantive discussions in Brussels this week.

In my conversation with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, following my appointment, I extended the Government's sympathies to her and to the people of London on the tragic fire at the Grenfell Tower. We also discussed Brexit, and the ongoing political discussions in London and in Belfast, agreeing on the need to have the Northern Ireland Executive up and running as quickly as possible. We agreed to meet in Downing Street to continue our discussions.

In the meeting on Monday, I again expressed my sympathies on the recent tragedies and atrocities in London. We discussed the situation in Northern Ireland in some detail. We are both absolutely committed to seeing the Northern Ireland institutions back up and running as a matter of urgency. We discussed our respective contacts with the parties in recent days. I am confident that, in our role as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, we can provide resolute support and encouragement to the Northern Ireland parties in the days ahead, and that with goodwill and respect on all sides we can reach a successful conclusion to the current talks.

Now that formal negotiations between the EU and the UK have commenced, it is vital that the views and concerns of Northern Ireland are fully reflected. The Prime Minister and I reaffirmed the commitment of the two Governments to maintaining the common travel area and associated reciprocal rights, to protecting the peace process and, in particular, to keeping the Border invisible. We also recognise that this will be extremely challenging and, in the words of the EU negotiation guidelines, will require "flexible and imaginative" solutions. This Government will certainly play its part in working constructively with all our partners — in Northern Ireland, in Britain and across the EU — to find solutions that are in the best interests of everyone on these islands.

I also raised the ongoing talks between the DUP and the Conservative Party in the context of the need for impartiality of the two Governments.

The arrangements for national security are being kept under review.

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